Say the Word, Kamala

One wait is over while another continues.

Kamala Harris’ VP-stakes is now long over, and many pro-Israel democrats are disappointed she passed over Jewish, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as they viewed his potential selection as an opportunity for her to push back on the widely held belief that a second Trump administration would be better for Israel than with her in office. With Harris’ close ties to the Sanders and Squad progressive left wing of the party, her pointed criticism of Israel’s campaign in Gaza and the accusation that she empathized with the antisemitic, violent anti-Israel protesters on campuses, Jewish democrats have every right to be concerned.

As was laid out very well a few weeks ago by Anna Abramzon in her blog “Convince me Kamala,” Harris cannot simply rely on the Jewish democratic vote just because she is not Donald Trump.  I think she still needs to earn it.  And one way she can work toward that goal is to follow the lead of President Biden by now stating, as clearly as could possibly be said, “I am a Zionist.”

Why do I think she should choose to say this, and why now?  Simple.  Because while the VP-stakes is over, another more ominous and dangerous wait continues: when will Iran and its proxy armies surrounding Israel launch an attack seeking to avenge the deaths of Hezbollah Senior Commander Fuad Shukr, and Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh and continue on their march to their ultimate goal – the destruction and elimination of the State of Israel?  Jewish democrats need to hear from her and be convinced that when push comes to shove, and when tyrannical states and terrorist organizations launch an attack on Israel, that she will not abandon the Jewish state.

By unabashedly asserting she is a Zionist – not quietly in an off-the-record meeting to some Jewish organizations, but rather; loud and proud for her most left-wing, liberal supporters to hear, she will be stating to the world what I think, and what we are told, she really believes, and which should not be at all controversial.  That is, as a Zionist, she believes in and supports the existence of a free, independent state for the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland.  That’s it.  It’s actually a simple concept.  It does not mean she can’t support Palestinians and their desire for self-determination, a better life and their own state.  It doesn’t mean she cannot empathize for the deaths of Palestinian civilians because even if their deaths are the result of Hamas’ cynical policies of creating human shields, there are now many casualties, and more than she along with many feel comfortable with.  It simply means, that as Iran and Hezbollah are banging the war drums to destroy the Jewish State – to destroy the “Zionist entity” – that she, and her administration should she win the presidency, will always stand behind and help defend the State of Israel from that ever happening.

Further, by making such a statement, she can help repair the divide in society and within her party, by forcefully stating that Zionism is not a dirty word.  Calling someone a Zionist should not be a slur, and it is not an identity Jewish democrats must abandon to be recognized within liberal movements of which they have historically taken stances for.  She can explain that it is a completely valid position to support the continued existence of Israel as a free, western, democratic, Jewish State yet take issue with the far right government of Bibi and its rhetoric and actions.

During her campaign she has a unique opportunity to distinguish between the state and the actor.  You don’t like Bibi?  That’s fine.  Join the club.  You’ll have most Israelis agree with you on that.  But articulate how you can oppose, even strongly, a policy or action or words of a political leader or government yet completely support that government and that state’s right to exist and even respect the democratic ideals and process that brought about that leader.  Since October 7, there are far too many who have conflated their dislike of Netanyahu or Israel’s actions in Gaza or to the Palestinians in general with the idea that Israel is inherently evil, illegitimate, and should cease to exist.  That right there is the distinction between valid anti-war protests, and the antisemitic dangerous mobs we saw on campuses last Spring, and which we are told will return this coming semester.  She should be a leader and do her part to make clear the distinction between the two.  That will help earn the Jewish vote.

And to make that point, there could be no better analogy to draw from than her political opponent Donald Trump.  Explain how one can absolutely abhor what he stands for, what he says, who he is as a person and his policies yet completely love the country he seeks to lead, respect the democratic process that might just re-elect him, and never, ever, question whether the United States has a right to exist or support calls to demonize the entire country because of the sins of its leader.  If that holds true for the United States, why should it not for Israel?

Will she do this?  I don’t know.  I hope so.  I think it makes good policy and good politics.  It can help lower the temperature and combat antisemitism in our society and on campuses as the Fall semester approaches and can help win over voters in states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan – where I heard there are sizable Jewish populations – states she would sure like to win this November.  So do it, Kamala, say the word, we’re waiting.