A college essay by now-Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, in which he claimed that "Palestinians will not peacefully coexist," has resurfaced, prompting the potential vice presidential candidate to defend his evolved stance on Israel.
In his decades-old op-ed written in 1993 for the University of Rochester's Campus Times, Shapiro, who is Jewish, said the Palestinians are "too battle-minded" to establish a successful homeland.
"Using history as precedent, peace between Arabs and Israelis is virtually impossible and will never come," he wrote, referring to Arabs as "belligerent."
Shapiro's spokesman, Manuel Bonder, told Fox News Digital that Shapiro's views have evolved significantly since then.
"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 said.
The Philadelphia Inquirer highlighted the op-ed as part of a broader review of Shapiro's record as he becomes a potential vice presidential candidate for the Democratic ticket led by Vice President Kamala Harris. His pro-Israel stance has stirred controversy within the Democratic Party, particularly among its pro-Palestinian factions.
Harris set to announce her vice presidential pick for the 2024 election at Temple University in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Bonder also clarified that Shapiro's past identification as a "volunteer in the Israeli army" in the essay piece was part of a high school service project, not military engagement. Shapiro's position has shifted to advocate for a two-state solution and he has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership.
Shapiro reaffirmed his current beliefs at a recent news conference, emphasizing the importance of a two-state solution for a peaceful future in the region, as reported by the Times of Israel.
