In the intricate and ever-shifting landscape of U.S. politics, Kamala Harris' presidential campaign has encountered a fresh wave of controversy with the appointment of Brenda Abdelall, an American attorney of Egyptian descent, to lead outreach efforts to Arab-American voters.
Abdelall, who hails from Michigan—a critical swing state—has been tasked with rallying support from influential Arab communities. However, the campaign quickly found itself on the defensive as past remarks by Abdelall about Jews and Israel resurfaced in conservative media outlets.
These comments, dating back to a 2002 conference of the American Muslim Council (AMC), have sparked considerable debate. At the conference, Abdelall reportedly stated that "Zionists control much of American politics," in response to a panelist who had made the even more extreme claim that "Zionists are destroying America."
While Abdelall softened the panelist's statement, she still emphasized the significant influence she believed Zionists held in American political circles.
Adding to the controversy, Abdelall also referenced the electoral defeat of Democratic Congressman Earl Hilliard in Alabama, suggesting that his loss was due in part to his opposition to a pro-Israel resolution condemning Palestinian suicide bombings. Abdelall pointed to the considerable support and fundraising efforts by pro-Israel groups and Jewish donors for Hilliard's opponent as evidence of the "considerable Jewish influence in politics."
These resurfaced comments have ignited a firestorm, putting Harris' campaign in a delicate position as they navigate the complexities of balancing voter outreach with the need to address past controversies.
* Ynet contributed to this article.