Harris’ Office Cleans Up Comments Over Student’s ‘Ethnic Genocide’ Claim Against Israel

Emily Jones
09-30-2021

Share This article

JERUSALEM, Israel –Vice President Kamala Harris’ office is working behind the scenes to correct comments she made during an event at George Mason University this week where she failed to challenge a student who accused Israel of committing “ethnic genocide.”

Harris’ senior staff contacted the Democratic Majority for Israel on Thursday to address the situation, POLITICO reports.

“We were pleased Vice President Harris’s senior staff reached out to us today to confirm what we already knew: Her ‘commitment to Israel’s security is unwavering,’” said Mark Mellman, the president of the group.

Mellman quoted senior staff who said that Harris “strongly disagrees with the George Mason student’s characterization of Israel.”

“The Biden-Harris Administration, as well as President Biden and Vice President Harris personally, have exemplary pro-Israel records, for which we are immensely grateful,” said Mellman.

A senior adviser to Harris also contacted Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), the co-chair of the Bipartisan Anti‐Semitism Taskforce, and Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League.

Harris came under fire this week after she affirmed a student’s right to criticize Israel and accuse the country of committing “ethnic genocide” during an event this week at George Mason University in Virginia. 

Harris discussed voting rights with students and then allowed them to ask questions.

The US House of Representatives last week passed a measure to give Israel $1 billion for its Iron Dome missile defense system. Democrats overwhelmingly supported the move despite facing opposition from several progressives. 

The student asked why that money was given to Israel instead of being allocated for domestic issues.

“I bring this up because Americans are struggling from lack of healthcare, public healthcare, lack of affordable housing, and all this money ends up going to funding Israel and backing Saudi Arabia,” she said. 

Although Harris did not specifically address the student’s criticism of Israel, the vice president said she was “glad” she voiced her opinion.

“This is about the fact that your voice, your perspective your experience, your truth, should not be suppressed and it must be heard, right? And one of the things we’re fighting for in a democracy, right?” Harris said.

“The point that you are making about policy that relates to Middle East policy, foreign policy, we still have healthy debates in our country about what is the right path, and nobody’s voice should be suppressed on that,” she added.

Republicans quickly attacked the vice president for her response to the student’s question.

Vice President Harris has repeatedly expressed her support for Israel. In a call last month to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, she reiterated her “strong commitment to Israel’s security.”

***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***

Share This article

About The Author

Emily
Jones

Emily Jones is a multi-media journalist for CBN News in Jerusalem. Before she moved to the Middle East in 2019, she spent years regularly traveling to the region to study the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, meet with government officials, and raise awareness about Christian persecution. During her college years, Emily served as president of Regent University's Christians United for Israel chapter and spoke alongside world leaders at numerous conferences and events. She is an active member of the Philos Project, an organization that seeks to promote positive Christian engagement with the Middle
More