Staff Reports
In the latest development that could only be deemed a spectacle of political correctness, Kamala Harris has appointed Brenda Abdelall as the new Arab outreach director for her campaign. Now, one could reasonably assume this is a move meant to bolster Harris’s diversity credentials, but a closer look at Abdelall’s past comments raises eyebrows. According to a reasonable publication called the Washington Free Beacon, Abdelall once asserted in a 2002 interview that “Zionists” have a considerable influence over American politics. This kind of rhetoric might make for a compelling plot twist in a thriller, but it’s now taking center stage in the Harris campaign.
Abdelall’s appointment sits within a troubling pattern for Harris, who seems to have an affinity for advisers who view Israel through a critical lens. Alongside Abdelall’s previous statements, Harris’s national security adviser, Phil Gordon, is reportedly under congressional scrutiny for his links to an Iranian government influence network. It seems like every time the Harris campaign looks for expertise; it finds intellectual treasures that promote anti-Israel sentiment. Gordon’s questionable ties aren’t isolated. Ilan Goldenberg—Harris’s liaison to the Jewish community—has faced scrutiny for his allegiance to the anti-Israel group J Street and his enthusiasm for fostering cozy relations with Tehran.
This isn’t a joke. Wake up!
Kamala Harris's New Arab Outreach Director Said 'Zionists' Are 'Controlling' American Politics https://t.co/QuFYzxJgpa
— David M Friedman (@DavidM_Friedman) August 29, 2024
No good campaign team would be complete without controversy, and the Harris team is no exception. They have also brought in Rev. Jen Butler, a self-identified veteran critic of Israel, to address its outreach to the faith community. Butler’s connection to Linda Sarsour, an activist known for her anti-Semitic rhetoric, hardly inspires confidence in her impartiality. For some, appointing such characters would raise an ominous flag about the direction of Harris’s platform regarding Israel and its allies.
Abdelall wasn’t just picked for her Arab outreach prowess; there is a clear push in this campaign that aligns with opinions unfriendly to Israel. The other recently appointed Muslim liaison, Nasrina Bargzie, has a history of supporting anti-Israel activism on college campuses. She has even taken a stand against Jewish students’ claims of antisemitism, indicating a concerning trend within the Harris campaign’s choices. It seems they are not just casting a net for diverse representation; instead, they appear to be fishing in the waters of political animosity towards long-standing American allies.
This expansion of radical viewpoints within the Harris circle raises a critical question about their ultimate impact on American policy. There is a distinct sense in which these appointments reflect a departure from traditional diplomatic practice, where understanding and supporting allies is paramount. Instead, it appears the Harris campaign is positioning itself on a different spectrum, one that prioritizes outreach to communities with views that many mainstream Americans—especially those who support Israel—find troubling.
