Josh Shapiro gets defensive over old college op-ed where he touted being Israeli army volunteer

WASHINGTON, DC: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is facing scrutiny over an op-ed he wrote more than thirty years ago, where he criticized the Palestinian people and described his time as a volunteer with the Israeli army.

The essay, written during his college years, has become a focal point as he is considered a potential vice presidential candidate for the Democratic Party.

When Josh Shapiro called Palestinians 'battle-minded'

Josh Shapiro's spokesperson, Manuel Bonder, emphasized that the governor's views have evolved significantly since he wrote the op-ed as a 20-year-old student.

"Since he wrote this piece as a 20-year-old student, Gov Shapiro has built close, meaningful, informative relationships with many Muslim-American, Arab-American, Palestinian Christian, and Jewish community leaders all across Pennsylvania," Bonder told Fox News in a statement. 

"The Governor greatly values their perspectives and the experiences he has learned from over the years – and as a result, as with many issues, his views on the Middle East have evolved into the position he holds today," Bonder continued.

The Philadelphia Inquirer discovered Shapiro's essay in the archives of the University of Rochester's student newspaper, the Campus Times. In the piece, Shapiro declared that Palestinians were incapable of establishing a peaceful and successful homeland.

He wrote, "Palestinians will not peacefully coexist because they do not have the capabilities to establish their own homelands and make it successful even with the aid of Israel and the United States."

"They are too battle-minded to be able to establish a peaceful homeland of their own," Shapiro added, identifying himself as a "past volunteer in the Israeli army." He also described the Arab world as "divided" and "belligerent."

The resurfacing of Shapiro's op-ed comes at a critical time as he is being considered for a vice presidential position alongside Kamala Harris. His support for Israel has sparked controversy within the Democratic Party, particularly among its pro-Palestinian faction.

Critics have initiated the 'No Genocide Josh' campaign, urging Harris to select a different running mate.

Josh Shapiro reiterates 'two-state solution' for Israel

Some Jewish members of Congress have defended Josh Shapiro, arguing that his Jewish heritage does not impede his objectivity on Israel.

"I think there is that sense that somehow we're not objective [on Israel] because we're Jewish, which is just not true or fair," Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, told Axios. "There are a lot of members who are pro-Israel who have been protested against — I think as Jews it feels particularly intense and personal."

Bonder reiterated that the op-ed from decades ago does not reflect Shapiro's current views. He explained, "As the Governor has made clear for years, he supports a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live together peacefully – and he believes it is critical for leaders on both sides of this conflict to take meaningful, necessary steps towards a lasting peace."

"Governor Shapiro has worked hard to bring people together, listen, and keep our communities safe and heard – and he will always be a Governor for all Pennsylvanians," Bonder added. 

Clarifying Shapiro's self-identification as a "past volunteer in the Israeli army," Bonder explained, "While he was in high school, Josh Shapiro was required to do a service project, which he and several classmates completed through a program that took them to a kibbutz in Israel where he worked on a farm and at a fishery."

"The program also included volunteering on service projects on an Israeli army base. At no time was he engaged in any military activities," Bonder said. 

During a press conference on Friday, Shapiro, now 51, acknowledged the time that has passed since he wrote the op-ed.

"I was 20," he told reporters. “I have said for years, years before Oct 7, that I favor a two-state solution—Israelis and Palestinians living peacefully side-by-side, being able to determine their own futures and their own destiny," he said, as the Times of Israel reported. 

Shapiro has also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him "one of the worst leaders of all time" and condemning his leadership as detrimental to Israel's future.