Harris' potential running mate Shapiro shifts Middle East stance amid criticism

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As U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns for the November 2024 presidential election, several top picks for her potential Democratic vice presidential nominee are being considered. Among them is Josh Shapiro, the Governor of Pennsylvania, who is now facing criticism for his previous skepticism about the attainability of peace in the Middle East.

In 1993, then 20-year-old Shapiro, a student at the University of Rochester in New York, penned an opinion article entitled: “Peace not possible” in a local student paper.

He argued that Israel’s Arab neighbors were not ready for peace.

“Palestinians will not coexist peacefully,” Shapiro wrote. “They do not have the capabilities to establish their own homeland and make it successful even with the aid of Israel and the United States. They are too battle-minded to be able to establish a peaceful homeland of their own.”

These views expressed by Shapiro three decades ago as a student, are in stark contrast with the Democratic Party’s current support for a two-state solution. Additionally, Shapiro has faced criticism from Arab American and progressive Democratic voters, who tend to be critical of the Israeli policies.

Facing criticism of alleged pro-Israel bias, Shapiro told reporters on Friday that his opinions on the Middle East have changed, and he now supports the two-state solution.

“I was 20,” Shapiro said during a news conference. “I have said for years, years before October 7, that I favor a two-state solution – Israelis and Palestinians living peacefully side-by-side, being able to determine their own futures and their own destiny.” he added.

“I’m someone who has always been hopeful that peace would come to the Middle East,” he added.

Shapiro’s spokesperson, Manuel Bonder emphasized, that Shapiro's views on the Middle East have evolved as he has had the opportunity to form relationships with Arab ad Jewish leaders.

“Governor Shapiro has built close, meaningful, informative relationships with many Muslim-American, Arab-American, Palestinian Christian, and Jewish community leaders all across Pennsylvania,” Bonder said. “The governor greatly values their perspectives and the experiences he has learned from over the years – and as a result, as with many issues, his views on the Middle East have evolved into the position he holds today.”

Shapiro, who is Jewish, has generally supported for Israel called out antisemitism. In December, the U.S. governor blasted an anti-Israel mob outside an Israeli-owned restaurant in Philadelphia as “a blatant act of antisemitism – not a peaceful protest.”

However, Shapiro has also voiced strong criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu whom he described as “a dangerous and destructive force” and “one of the worst leaders of all time.”

The majority of Jewish Americans have historically voted for the Democrat Party, as it was long viewed as friendly toward Jews and other minorities in American society. However, the growing influence of progressive anti-Israel Democrats have influenced U.S. policy and some believe it will continue to undermine Washington's traditional bipartisan support for the Jewish state.

Current Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed strong criticism of Israel since the war began in Gaza, garnering support from Palestinians who live in the coastal enclave.