Harris won’t cut or condition aid to Israel, former aide says

CHICAGO — A Kamala Harris administration will not cut or condition US security assistance to Israel, her former aide says during a panel on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention.

Jewish Democratic Council of America CEO Halie Soifer, who previously served as Harris’s national security adviser in the Senate, notes that the Biden-Harris administration has approved more aid to Israel in the past six months — $15 billion — than any other administration ever.

Also speaking on the panel organized by the American Jewish Committee is Rep. Brad Schneider who predicted that a Harris administration would not return to the Iran nuclear deal, noting that he has discussed the issue recently with Ilan Goldenberg, the Harris campaign’s newly appointed Jewish liaison.

Former US ambassador to Israel Tom Nides indicates that he expects Harris would have to be stern with Israel at times.

He also jokes that he wouldn’t like to go on vacation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because he’s sometimes difficult to deal with, but he stresses that the premier will meet his match with Harris, who is no less “tough.”

Nides admits to feeling angst over rising antisemitism, which he never felt  before growing up Jewish in Duluth, Minnesota.

He argues that Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff wouldn’t be traveling around the US and the world raising awareness about the dangers of antisemitism if his wife wasn’t encouraging him to do so.

Schneider says many of those calling for an Israel arms embargo are actually seeking the elimination of the Jewish state and the “exclusion of the Jewish people from the American political body.”

They are a minority and they must be called out,” he says to applause from around 200 audience members.