Reza Aslan
Because a Harris presidency brings with it the possibility—and let’s be honest, nothing more than that—of a significant shift in US policy toward Israel.
The potential of a Kamala Harris presidency brings with it the possibility—and let’s be honest, nothing more than that—of a significant shift in US policy toward Israel. Harris, a Black woman and the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, represents a generational and cultural departure from the typical American leadership that has long upheld unquestioning support for Israel, regardless of its actions. While her track record shows she still firmly backs Israel’s right to defend itself, her rhetoric suggests a far more balanced approach than Americans have seen in the past—one that is more in line with the way the rest of the world views the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Joe Biden, by contrast, comes from a different era, one in which support for Israel was automatic, solidified during the Cold War when Israel was viewed as a small, embattled democracy surrounded by hostile neighbors. For Biden, supporting Israel is part of a decades-long commitment, rooted in a historical context where any criticism of Israeli actions was seen as destabilizing and dangerous. His policy, unsurprisingly, reflects that traditional approach: Israel is the key ally, and everything else is secondary.
But Harris has hinted at something different. While standing firmly by Israel, she has also repeatedly emphasized something many of her predecessors could barely even mention: the immense suffering of Palestinians. Granted, acknowledging the plight of five million people living under the brutal indignity of military occupation may not seem like much. But in the world of US policy toward Israel, where words are carefully chosen and any deviation from the pro-Israel line is often met with intense backlash, it is a revelation.
Yet, the possibility of a Harris presidency is especially intriguing because of her background. As the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants —both of whom grew up under colonial rule—Harris has a personal connection to histories of occupation, inequality, and the struggle for self-determination. This lived experience could very well influence how she views the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If nothing else, her parents’ experiences under colonial rule may give her a deeper understanding of the plight of the Palestinians and the broader implications of the occupation, something Biden has never had to grapple with on a personal level.
To be clear, none of this guarantees that Harris, as president, would radically shift US policy toward Israel. The pro-Israel lobby remains strong, and the relationship between the two nations is deeply ingrained. But what she does represent is potential. The potential for a more balanced, thoughtful approach that acknowledges not just Israel’s security needs, but also the rights and dignity of Palestinians. The potential is for US policy to move beyond the automatic pro-Israel stance that has defined it for so long and reflect the reality of the conflict as it exists today, not as it existed fifty years ago. And, let’s face it: in these dark days, potential may be all we need to get excited about the future.
Reza Aslan, author of Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth and Emmy- and Peabody-nominated producer.