Monday marks one year since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, which launched the ongoing and escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Vice President Harris and former President Trump both plan to commemorate the anniversary, which comes just less than a month until Election Day when foreign policy issues are at the top of mind for voters.
Harris will be in Washington for the anniversary, and her and second gentleman Doug Emhoff will plant a memorial tree on the grounds of the vice president’s residence, according to a White House official. It will be a pomegranate tree, which represents hope and righteousness in Judaism.
She then will deliver brief remarks, during which she will “reflect on the pain and loss from October 7, and reaffirm her unwavering commitment to the security of Israel and of the Jewish people, and her commitment to prevent anything like October 7, 2023 from ever happening again,” the official said.
Emhoff will attend and recite a prayer at the American Jewish Committee’s National October 7 Memorial Commemoration in Washington earlier in the day.
Trump will deliver remarks at an Oct. 7 remembrance event taking place at his golf course in Doral, Fla.
“Jewish community leaders will gather to honor the 1,200 lives lost after being taken hostage and killed on that fateful morning one year ago,” the Trump campaign said in a statement. “The event will also remember the victims of antisemitic violence that has continued to afflict communities worldwide since that tragic day.”
Trump almost certainly will use the occasion to attack President Biden and Harris, as he has done for months when speaking about Israel and the Hamas attacks. He also has said Jewish voters who do not support him should “have their head examined.”
Meanwhile, Biden plans to mark the anniversary of the attacks with an event at the White House. The president and first lady Jill Biden will be joined by a rabbi and participate in a yahrzeit candle lighting.
Biden said on Friday “I will pray and fast” when asked about Pope Francis’s call for a day of prayer and fasting for peace on Oct. 7.
Brett Samuels contributed.