(Rightallegiance.com) – Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, is currently facing intense scrutiny over a 30-year-old op-ed he wrote that disparages Palestinians and details his experience as an Israeli army volunteer. This op-ed, written during his time as a student at the University of Rochester, was recently unearthed, sparking renewed debate over his views on the Middle East.
In the op-ed, published in the Campus Times, Shapiro argued that Palestinians were incapable of peacefully coexisting or establishing their own homeland, even with aid from Israel and the United States. He described Palestinians as “too battle-minded” and the Arab world as “divided and belligerent.” At the time, Shapiro identified himself as a former volunteer in the Israeli army.
Shapiro’s spokesman, Manuel Bonder, responded to the resurfaced op-ed in a statement to Fox News Digital, emphasizing that the governor’s views have evolved significantly since he wrote the piece as a 20-year-old student. “Since he wrote this piece as a 20-year-old student, Gov. Shapiro has built close, meaningful, informative relationships with many Muslim-American, Arab-American, Palestinian Christian, and Jewish community leaders all across Pennsylvania,” Bonder stated.
Bonder continued, “The Governor greatly values their perspectives and the experiences he has learned from over the years – and as a result, as with many issues, his views on the Middle East have evolved into the position he holds today.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer, which discovered the op-ed, highlighted Shapiro’s controversial statements and their potential impact on his political career. Shapiro is currently considered a potential vice-presidential candidate for the Democratic ticket, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, who secured the party’s nomination this week.
Shapiro’s unwavering support for Israel has been a contentious issue within the Democratic Party, particularly among its progressive wing, which holds strong pro-Palestinian views. Critics of Shapiro have launched the “No Genocide Josh” campaign, urging Harris to select a different running mate.
Some Jewish members of Congress have defended Shapiro, arguing that the criticism unfairly suggests that Jewish politicians cannot be objective about Israel. “I think there is that sense that somehow we’re not objective [on Israel] because we’re Jewish, which is just not true or fair,” said Rep. Greg Landsman, a Democrat from Ohio. “There are a lot of members who are pro-Israel who have been protested against — I think as Jews it feels particularly intense and personal.”
Bonder refuted claims that the decades-old op-ed reflects Shapiro’s current stance on Israel. “As the Governor has made clear for years, he supports a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live together peacefully – and he believes it is critical for leaders on both sides of this conflict to take meaningful, necessary steps towards a lasting peace,” Bonder emphasized.
He added, “Governor Shapiro has worked hard to bring people together, listen, and keep our communities safe and heard – and he will always be a Governor for all Pennsylvanians.”
Addressing Shapiro’s self-identification as a “past volunteer in the Israeli army,” Bonder clarified that Shapiro’s service project during high school involved working on a kibbutz in Israel, where he was engaged in farming and fishery work.
As Shapiro’s political future hangs in the balance, his past writings continue to be a focal point for both supporters and detractors, raising questions about how youthful opinions should influence contemporary political evaluations.