VP Harris Skips Netanyahu Address to Attend Sorority Leadership Event

Vice President Kamala Harris chose to skip Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Congressional address to speak at the Zeta Phi Beta sorority’s Grand Boule in Indiana, an event her aides said was pre-scheduled. The sorority event, titled "Finer Women Amplifying The Extraordinary Power of S.H.E. through Legacy, Leadership & Impact," took place from July 23-28 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

Critics quickly pointed out the poor optics of Harris's absence, especially given that President Joe Biden also did not attend Netanyahu’s address. With Biden officially dropping out of the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, Harris is now the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee. The timing and her decision to prioritize the sorority event over Netanyahu’s address have drawn sharp criticism.

“I cannot imagine worse optics for the White House not to have Biden or Harris at this speech. Seems so very small. The fact that she was at a sorority speech is just an incredible choice,” commented Josh Holmes.

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) echoed the sentiment, saying, “Hamas is still holding over 100 hostages and Kamala Harris is skipping Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to go to a sorority event. She needs to get serious.”

From the New York Post: “Today’s cover: Kamala Harris skipping Netanyahu’s speech to Congress to address sorority event instead.”

Mark Penn also weighed in, stating, “VP Harris avoiding Netanyahu’s address to attend a sorority function is the wrong choice. Israel is a democracy and an ally under constant siege from Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, all funded by Iran. Her failure to attend turns her back not on one man but on 10 million Israelis. She need not agree with all but she should do her job as Pres. of the Senate and be there.”

While Harris missed Netanyahu’s address for another event, dozens of her party members intentionally boycotted it. Notably, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) chose not to attend. Meanwhile, anti-Israel Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) attended only to hold up a sign in the chamber labeling Netanyahu a “war criminal.”

The absence of both Biden and Harris from Netanyahu's speech underscores a significant moment in U.S.-Israel relations, drawing attention to the administration’s stance amid escalating tensions with Hamas.

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