In the wake of President Joe Biden's decision not to seek re-election, leading Democrats are rallying to support Vice President Kamala Harris. However, conservative attacks on Harris have taken a new turn, focusing on criticisms about her as a "DEI" candidate, which references work policies promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

One notable critic, Sebastian Gorka, a host of the conservative network Newsmax and former member of the Trump administration, remarked, "Her skin color is the correct DEI color." These attacks highlight the stark differences in this campaign, as Harris could make history as the first woman of color to be president if elected.

The criticisms surrounding DEI, though a recent political debate, evoke memories of the 2016 attacks on Hillary Clinton. Former President Donald Trump often targeted Clinton's strength, appearance, and qualifications. Similarly, Harris has faced comments from Trump, including the promotion of baseless "birther" conspiracy theories.

In parallel news, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address Congress in an attempt to strengthen U.S. support. However, this move has garnered opposition from several former senior officials from Israel's security establishment. They express concern about potential damage to joint U.S.-Israeli objectives. Harris is expected to skip the speech as she focuses on her presidential campaign, but she will meet with Netanyahu privately.

Meanwhile, efforts to reach a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas continue behind the scenes. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed cautious optimism, stating that negotiators are "driving toward the goal line." This development comes ahead of Biden's meeting with Netanyahu at the White House, where they will meet with relatives of American hostages still held in Gaza.

On Friday morning, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with former President Trump at Mar-a-Lago, his residence in Palm Beach, Florida. The Biden administration remains committed to resolving the ongoing conflict and maintaining diplomatic ties with Israel.

As the campaign for the upcoming presidential election unfolds, it is evident that Harris's status as a potential trailblazer as the first woman of color to hold the presidency is being met with conservative scrutiny. This highlights the persisting challenges faced by candidates breaking barriers of race and gender.