Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) disclosed in his upcoming memoir that Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate vetting team questioned whether he had ever served as an agent of the Israeli government during the 2024 presidential race.
The revelation, first reported by The New York Times and confirmed by ABC News, appears in Shapiro’s book “Where We Keep the Light,” scheduled for release on Jan. 27.
According to excerpts from the memoir, Dana Remus, a former White House counsel serving on the vetting team, posed the question to Shapiro during the final stages of the selection process.
Shapiro recounted telling Remus that he found the inquiry offensive.
The governor wrote that Remus also asked if he had ever communicated with an undercover Israeli agent.
Shapiro reportedly responded by questioning how he would know if the agent had been undercover.
The Times reported that in his memoir, Shapiro acknowledged that Remus had professional obligations to fulfill but expressed criticism of the questioning approach.
The Pennsylvania governor, who practices Judaism openly and has publicly discussed his faith, support for Israel, and criticism of the current Israeli government, faced additional vetting questions about Israel and his management of campus demonstrations concerning Gaza.
The governor questioned whether similar Israel-related inquiries were directed at all candidates who had not served in federal office or if he alone received such scrutiny as the only Jewish contender.
Shapiro’s spokesperson, Manuel Bonder, characterized the 2024 election as a minor component of the governor’s broader narrative in the book.
Shapiro emerged as a prominent candidate for the vice presidential position during a period of significant debate within the Democratic Party regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict and United States-Israel relations, particularly concerning Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Progressive voices scrutinized Shapiro’s pro-Israel positions and his previous volunteer work in Israel, including time spent on an Israeli military base.
Questions also surfaced about his college writings on the Israeli-Palestinian situation, in which he expressed skepticism about Palestinian commitment to peace agreements with Israel.
Shapiro and his representatives clarified at the time that his volunteer activities did not involve military operations.
They stated his perspectives on the conflict had developed to embrace a two-state resolution between Israelis and Palestinians.
The running mate selection process typically involves comprehensive examination and attempts to anticipate potential public inquiries about candidates.
Resist the Mainstream previously reported that Harris addressed the vetting process in her own memoir, “107 Days,” discussing conversations with Shapiro regarding criticism he encountered over Gaza and a college opinion piece he authored.
Harris wrote that Shapiro indicated he managed critics by clearly stating his earlier views were misguided and affirming his commitment to a two-state solution.
She noted he had publicly characterized Netanyahu as “one of the worst leaders of all time.”
Harris framed her decision against selecting Shapiro as primarily concerning his ambition and worries that he might find the vice presidential role unsatisfying.
Shapiro has rejected these characterizations. Despite not receiving the running mate position, Shapiro actively campaigned as a Harris surrogate.
