Will Doug Emhoff talk about Israel at the DNC Tuesday night?

As the public face of the Biden administration’s national strategy to combat antisemitism, Doug Emhoff has had much to say about Jews and and bigotry directed against them — and far less about Israel.

The topic is fraught within the Democratic party, and handled gingerly at its convention in Chicago this week, which comes on the heels of primaries in which more than 700,000 people signaled frustration with the Biden administration’s approach to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. 

But Emhoff will likely at least touch on the subject Tuesday night, when he addresses the DNC as the second gentlemen and husband of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Like most American Jews, Emhoff feels a connection to Israel. In the wake of Oct. 7, he has met with the families of those still held hostage by Hamas.

But it’s not just personal for Emhoff — large swaths of the party care deeply about Israel, Palestinians, or both. Israel is the touchiest topic at the convention — but it’s not one that can be ignored.

Look for Emhoff to walk the fine line on Israel that Harris, and several DNC speakers in the past two days, have walked, by pairing Israeli and Palestinian suffering.

Here’s a sampling of what Emhoff has said about his and Biden and Harris’ views on Israel in the past:

“As an American Jew, I am so grateful that in this moment of tumult and pain we have leaders like @POTUS and @VP. I know that under their leadership the United States will continue to stand with Israel and will combat the rising tide of antisemitism.” — Tweet, Oct. 11, 2023

As an American Jew, I am so grateful that in this moment of tumult and pain we have leaders like @POTUS and @VP. I know that under their leadership the United States will continue to stand with Israel and will combat the rising tide of antisemitism. pic.twitter.com/dkVVYiyqpp

— Douglas Emhoff (@SecondGentleman) October 12, 2023

“Like all Jews, I feel a deep, visceral connection to Israel and its people. The images we are seeing from Israel will be seared in our brains forever. This was the mass murder of innocent civilians. We grieve with you, and we stand with you.” — Tweet, Oct. 20, 2023

Like all Jews, I feel a deep, visceral connection to Israel and its people. The images we are seeing from Israel will be seared in our brains forever. This was the mass murder of innocent civilians.⁰
We grieve with you, and we stand with you. pic.twitter.com/qWqCynQJwG

— Douglas Emhoff (@SecondGentleman) October 13, 2023

 

“When Jews are targeted because of their beliefs or identity, and when Israel is singled out because of anti-Jewish hatred, that is antisemitism and it must be condemned — and condemned unequivocally and without context.” — White House menorah lighting ceremony, Dec. 7, 2024

“In the immediate aftermath of October 7th, I stood beside President Biden as he condemned the pure evil Hamas unleashed into the world and staunchly proclaimed his support for the Jewish people and Israel. He reaffirmed America’s ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, and that hasn’t changed. President Biden and Vice President Harris are steadfast in their support of Israel and the entire Jewish community. — Rose Garden Ceremony to mark Jewish American Heritage Month, May 20, 2024

“Vice President Harris has been and will be a strong supporter of Israel as a secure Democratic and Jewish state and she will always ensure that Israel can defend itself, period. That’s who Kamala Harris is.” — In a Zoom call with the Jewish Democratic Council of America, July 24, 2024  

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from The Forward https://ift.tt/nheBAwz