Josh Shapiro, the Jewish American governor of Pennsylvania and a prominent Democrat who was a leading contender to serve as Kamala Harris' vice presidential running mate, reveals in a new book that Harris' team examined whether he was an "Israeli agent," according to a report published in The New York Times.
In his book Where We Keep the Light, Shapiro describes the vetting process candidates were required to undergo, noting that Harris' aides focused heavily on his positions regarding Israel. "Have you ever communicated with an undercover agent of Israel?" Shapiro wrote, describing his stunned reaction to what he said was a last-minute question from the vetting team.
He wrote that he told them the question was offensive, and was told in response: "Well, we have to ask." According to Shapiro, the question was posed by Dana Remus, a former White House counsel. "If they were undercover, I responded, how the hell would I know?" Shapiro added.
Shapiro wrote that he understood Remus was "just doing her job," but said the fact that he was asked questions of that nature "said a lot about some of the people around the vice president." The vetting process took place during the war in Israel. Shapiro, who has sharply criticized antisemitism on US college campuses, wrote that Harris herself asked whether he would be "willing to apologize for his statements, particularly what he said about the University of Pennsylvania." He said he refused. "I believe in free speech, and I will defend it with everything I have," he wrote.
Throughout the book, Shapiro claims the entire vetting process was conducted under intense strain and that he often felt uncomfortable with the questions posed by Harris' team. He also asserts that the presidential nominee was seeking a running mate who would provide her with total support, not one who would be a full partner in broader consultations.
