Democrats, who are already divided over the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, are becoming more concerned the war has spread, which will further separate the party and cost Vice President Kamala Harris votes, according to party strategists.
Progressives who are dissatisfied with the Biden administration's policies on the Middle East might choose not to vote, and moderates or Republicans who might have been leaning toward Harris could choose to vote for former President Donald Trump instead and other down-ballot Republicans, The Hill reported.
"The only position she is in is to echo [Joe] Biden's position at this point in time," commented Susan Del Percio, a longtime Republican strategist who is not supporting Trump. "She would be doing the world a disservice if she broke away from Biden. It doesn't mean she can't leave the door open but right now she can't step away from him."
One Democrat strategist agreed Harris is "in the worst spot," because "she can't undercut Biden's policy and she also has to not upset the balance of her coalition."
Another party strategist commented Harris is in a "lose-lose situation" because "There are folks who think she's not doing enough to help Israel and then there's the other side who think she's not doing enough to help the situation in Gaza."
Trump, meanwhile, has been stressing he is the only candidate that can keep Israel in existence.
"If I don't win this election — and Jewish people would have a lot to do with that, 60% are voting for the enemy — Israel will cease to exist in two years," Trump told the Israeli-American Council conference in Washington. "I believe I'm 100% right.
"If I do win, Israel will be safe and secure, and we'll stop the toxic poison of antisemitism."
Trump also attacked Harris on Israel during their debate, claiming she "hates" the country.
"She wouldn't even meet with [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu when he went to Congress to make a very important speech," he said, adding she also "hates the Arab population."
Harris met with Netanyahu but did not attend his speech, and called their talk "frank and constructive."
She has argued on both sides of the issue, saying Israel has the right to defend itself but also believes that too many Palestinian civilians have been killed.
Harris has also said she will not veer from President Joe Biden's policies on Israel and will continue to press for a cease-fire deal that would include the return of hostages still held by Hamas.
She also denied Trump's claims she hates Israel, saying she has supported the nation for her "entire career and life."
But this past Friday talk show host Bill Maher attacked Harris on her Middle East policy after the Israelis' operation to detonate pagers and two-way radios used by Hezbollah.
Biden is to speak before the U.N. General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday, where he is expected to address the Israel-Hamas conflict and participate in several sideline discussions. However, Harris is not expected to attend the gathering.
She did meet Monday in Washington, D.C., with United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
Meanwhile, an AP-NORC poll last week found Harris and Trump in a virtual tie on their handling of the war between Israel and Hamas, with 36% saying they trust Trump more and 33% picking Harris. Still, 20% said they do not trust either candidate on the issue and 9% said both can be trusted.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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