Monday marks one year since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel that sparked continued and escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Both Vice President Harris and former President Trump are making plans to mark the one-year anniversary, with less than a month left until Election Day, when foreign policy issues will be top of mind for voters.
White House officials said Harris will be in Washington, D.C., on the anniversary, where she and Vice President Doug Emhoff will plant a commemorative tree on the grounds of the vice president's official residence. In Judaism, the pomegranate tree represents hope and righteousness.
Afterward, she gave a short speech in which she said, “Reflecting on the pain and loss of October 7, and expressing our unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the Jewish people and our determination to prevent an event like October 7, 2023. We will reconfirm.'' It will never happen again,” the official said.
Earlier in the day, Emhoff is scheduled to attend the American Jewish Committee's National October 7th Commemoration in Washington and recite a prayer.
President Trump is scheduled to speak at a memorial event on Oct. 7 at a golf course in Doral, Florida.
“Leaders of the Jewish community gather to remember the 1,200 lives lost when they were taken hostage and murdered on that fateful morning one year ago,” the Trump campaign said in a statement. “This event also commemorates the victims of the anti-Semitic violence that continues to plague communities around the world since that tragic day.”
President Trump is almost certain to use this opportunity to attack President Biden and Harris, just as he has been talking about attacks by Israel and Hamas for months. He has also previously said that Jewish voters who do not support him should have their “heads searched”.
Meanwhile, Biden plans to mark the anniversary of the attack with an event at the White House. The president and first lady Jill Biden will participate in the Yahrzeit candle lighting with the rabbi.
“Pray and fast,” Biden said Friday when asked about Pope Francis' call for a day of prayer and fasting for peace on Oct. 7.
Brett Samuels contributed to this report.
