Biden's exit, Kamala Harris presidency, a vocal Zionist, what's next?
Throughout her political career, Harris has been a vocal supporter of Zionism.
SHAH ALAM - In a historic turn of events, US President Joe Biden has officially announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.
This endorsement places Harris at the forefront of the Democratic Party making her the presumptive nominee for the 2024 election, standing against former president Donald Trump.
This pivotal moment marked a significant chapter in Harris's political journey, underpinned by her multifaceted background and her stance on various crucial issues.
"Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.
"Democrats -- it's time to come together and beat Trump. Let's do this," Joe Biden said, as reported by Nikkei Asia.
Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, to Shyamala Gopalan, an Indian American cancer researcher, and Donald Harris, a Jamaican American economics professor.
Growing up in a multicultural household, Harris was instilled with a deep sense of justice and activism from an early age.
Harris attended Howard University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in political science and economics.
She then went on to earn her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Harris's career began in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, where she quickly rose through the ranks.
In 2003, she was elected as the District Attorney of San Francisco, and in 2010, she made history by becoming the first woman, the first African American, and the first South Asian American to be elected as the Attorney General of California.
In 2016, Harris was elected to the US Senate, representing California.
During her time in the Senate, she became known for her rigorous questioning during hearings and her advocacy for criminal justice reform, healthcare, and immigration.
Harris's political career reached new heights when she was appointed as Joe Biden's running mate in the 2020 presidential election.
The Biden-Harris ticket won, and Harris was sworn in as the Vice President on January 20, 2021, becoming the first woman, the first African American woman, and the first South Asian American woman to hold the office.
Throughout her political career, Harris has been a vocal supporter of Zionism.
She has consistently advocated for a strong US-Israel relationship and has been a prominent voice in supporting Israel's right to self-defence.
Harris's stance has garnered criticism reflecting the deeply polarised views on the issue within the United States and the global community.
Harris's commitment to Zionism is rooted in her belief in the importance of Israel as a democratic ally in the Middle East.
She has also stressed the need for continued military and economic aid to Israel and has supported measures to counter anti-Semitism both domestically and internationally.
