Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, is under fire after an op-ed he wrote over thirty years ago resurfaced, in which he expressed controversial views about Israel and the Palestinian people. The essay, published in the student newspaper of the University of Rochester, highlighted Shapiro's past as an Israeli army volunteer and made disparaging remarks about the Palestinians.

Shapiro's spokesman, Manuel Bonder, defended the governor, stating that since writing the op-ed as a 20-year-old student, Shapiro has developed close relationships with Muslim-American, Arab-American, Palestinian Christian, and Jewish community leaders across Pennsylvania. Bonder highlighted that Shapiro's views on the Middle East have evolved over the years through these interactions.

The article, uncovered by The Philadelphia Inquirer, portrayed Shapiro's belief that Palestinians would not peacefully coexist and lacked the ability to establish their own successful homeland, even with assistance from Israel and the United States. Shapiro referred to the Arab world as divided and "belligerent," further adding to the controversy surrounding his past statements.

The resurrection of Shapiro's op-ed comes at a critical time as speculation grows about his potential vice-presidential nomination alongside current Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic ticket. Shapiro's unwavering support for Israel has drawn criticism within the party due to the strong pro-Palestinian views held by some members. The "No Genocide Josh" campaign has been launched to discourage his nomination and pressure Harris to choose another running mate.

Critics argue that it is unfair to assume that Jewish politicians, like Shapiro, cannot be objective regarding Israel. Representative Greg Landsman from Ohio, himself Jewish, emphasized that the assumption of bias based on religion is false and unjust. He noted that Jewish members of Congress who support Israel have often faced intense and personal protests.

Shapiro's spokesman Bonder dismissed the notion that the op-ed reflects the governor's current views on Israel. Bonder reiterated Shapiro's support for a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can coexist peacefully, and called for meaningful steps from leaders on both sides to achieve lasting peace. Bonder clarified that Shapiro's service project during high school, which involved volunteering on an Israeli army base, did not involve any military activities.

During a recent press conference, Gov. Shapiro acknowledged the op-ed's existence but emphasized the passage of time since its publication. He reiterated his belief in a two-state solution that allows both Israelis and Palestinians to determine their own futures. Shapiro had previously criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him as one of the worst leaders of all time and accusing him of steering Israel in the wrong direction.

As Governor Shapiro faces scrutiny over his decades-old op-ed, the controversy over his stance on Israel and the Palestinian issue adds a challenging element to his potential vice-presidential aspirations. Whether this resurfaced article will impact his political career remains to be seen.