Kamala Harris’s Choice of Tim Walz as Running Mate Signals a Shift in Stance on Gaza and Israel
Kamala Harris recently announced her selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, a decision that has generated excitement among Democrats. While this pick is seen as an effort to unite the party, it also suggests a departure from President Joe Biden’s position on Israel’s war in Gaza.
Walz, a small-town Midwesterner, has built a political career in the progressive wing of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. His straightforward criticism of conservatives in TV appearances has boosted his popularity in recent weeks. This makes him a strong counterpoint to Republican vice presidential pick J.D. Vance.
However, it is important to consider what Walz represents in terms of the war on Gaza and pro-Palestinian protests in the U.S. According to James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute, Walz’s selection over Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is a positive sign for Harris’s approach to the world.
Zogby believes that Walz will not impede Harris’s efforts to turn a corner on the issue of Gaza. Shapiro, on the other hand, has faced criticism from the progressive wing of the party for his aggressive responses to campus protesters advocating for schools to divest from Israel. Shapiro’s alignment with Republicans calling for a crackdown on student protesters has also raised concerns.
Walz, who has the support of prominent progressive members from his state, has shown a softer approach to protesters critical of Israel’s war. He has expressed respect for their empathy towards the suffering of people in Gaza, which aligns with Harris’s stance. Zogby believes that Walz’s selection indicates that Harris is listening to the growing constituency within the Democratic Party that takes the issue of Palestinian rights more seriously.
The issue of Palestine and Israel continues to divide Democrats, similar to the debate between pro-worker and pro-business constituencies in the party. Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy, sees Harris’s choice of Walz as a reflection of her stance on these dividing issues. He points to Harris’s previous speeches and remarks on the war in Gaza as evidence that she is paying closer attention to Palestinians.
However, Peter Beinart, editor-at-large of Jewish Currents, cautions against assuming that the pressure from the pro-Palestinian movement influenced Harris’s decision to choose Walz over Shapiro. He suggests that personal preference and momentum may have played a role. Beinart emphasizes the importance of paying attention to whether Harris and Walz would advocate for conditioning U.S. military aid to Israel, something Biden opposed in his 2020 campaign.
Walz’s progressive record as governor, including his pro-labor views and support for various laws benefiting education and low-income families, signals Harris’s commitment to the party’s post-neoliberal swing. Observers also note Walz’s antiwar record while serving in Congress, particularly his opposition to a war in Syria and support for repealing the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris’s choice of Tim Walz as her running mate suggests a shift in her stance on Gaza and Israel. Walz’s progressive background and softer approach to protesters critical of Israel’s war align with Harris’s views. This decision reflects Harris’s willingness to engage with the growing constituency within the Democratic Party that takes Palestinian rights more seriously. However, it remains to be seen how Harris and Walz will further clarify their stance on Gaza and Palestine in the coming months.