Amid growing speculation about President Biden’s potential replacement in the 2024 race, Vice President Kamala Harris recently defended the controversial anti-Israel protests that took place on college campuses this spring. Harris acknowledged the emotions driving the protests but clarified that she does not endorse all of the protesters’ statements.
During the 2023-24 school year, students across the country protested the war in Israel, leading to instances of antisemitism and concerns among Jewish students about their safety on campus. At Columbia University, protesters took over a building, while other schools like UCLA, Harvard, and Yale saw demands for divestment from Israel.
Harris expressed her concern about the conditions in Gaza during the conflict, asking her team about access to food and sanitary products. She emphasized the importance of addressing basic needs like clean water and hygiene products in conflict zones.
The Democratic Party has faced internal divisions over its response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with progressive members like the “Squad” facing criticism for not taking a harder stance against Hamas. Harris was reportedly in favor of a tougher approach towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the conflict.
As calls for Biden to step down from the 2024 race grow louder following his poor debate performance, Harris is seen as a likely replacement if he withdraws. Concerns about Biden’s age and mental fitness have been raised by both conservatives and Democrats, with questions about his ability to win re-election.
Despite the pressure to drop out, Biden has reaffirmed his commitment to staying in the race and winning re-election. His first post-debate interview focused on moving past the challenging debate and continuing his campaign.
Fox News Digital reached out to Harris’ office for comment on her statements about the anti-Israel protests but did not receive an immediate response. The ongoing debate within the Democratic Party about its approach to foreign policy and internal leadership reflects broader divisions in the party ahead of the 2024 election.