One year after the devastating Hamas attack on Israel, both major party presidential candidates have reaffirmed their commitment to support Israel.
Vice President Harris honored the victims of the October 7 attack by planting a memorial tree at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, former President Trump paid a visit to a significant site for the Hasidic community in Queens, New York.
During a poignant tree-planting ceremony, Harris expressed, “I will never forget October 7, and the world must never forget. We must work to ensure that nothing like the horrors of October 7 can ever happen again.”
On that tragic day, Hamas, which governs Gaza, claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 individuals in Israel and took around 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. Currently, over 100 hostages remain unaccounted for. Israel’s response to the attack has resulted in significant casualties, with Gaza health officials reporting at least 41,000 fatalities as a consequence of the ongoing conflict.
Harris further asserted her unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself and reiterated the Biden administration’s efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. She also expressed compassion for “the immense suffering of innocent Palestinians in Gaza who have experienced so much pain and loss over the year.”
Trump Commemorates at a Jewish Holy Site
In a separate event, Trump engaged with members of an Orthodox Jewish community in New York and visited the grave of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a revered rabbi who passed away in 1994. He was scheduled to attend a remembrance event that evening with Jewish leaders.
Hamas’ stated goal includes the elimination of Israel and the establishment of a Palestinian state. In contrast, Israel asserts its military objectives in Gaza revolve around eradicating Hamas.
The conflict has shed light on divisions within the Democratic Party regarding the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel, particularly among younger voters—a crucial demographic for Democrats—who are increasingly inclined to express sympathy for the Palestinian cause. According to Pew Research Center, voters aged 18-29 exhibit less support for U.S. military aid to Israel.
Trump has sought to leverage these intraparty tensions, controversially stating that any Jewish voter supporting a Democrat is a “fool,” remarks that have drawn backlash from Jewish organizations across the political spectrum.
In a recent interview, Trump reiterated his claims, stating, “I did more for Israel than anybody, I did more for the Jewish people than anybody, and it’s not a reciprocal, as they say.”
