Vice President Kamala Harris Finally Releases Statement After Anti-Israel Protesters Burn American Flag

After thousands of anti-Israel protesters, some of whom shouted anti-Semitic chants, carried Hamas flags, and burned the American flag and effigies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, took to the streets in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to protest Netanyahu's speech to a joint session of Congress, Vice President Kamala Harris, who boycotted the address, condemned the left-wing activists.

"Yesterday, at Union Station in Washington, D.C., we saw despicable acts by unpatriotic protestors and dangerous hate-fueled rhetoric," Harris said in a statement. "I condemn any individuals associating with the brutal terrorist organization Hamas, which has vowed to annihilate the State of Israel and kill Jews. Pro-Hamas graffiti and rhetoric is abhorrent, and we must not tolerate it in our nation."

Footage from the protest showed the demonstrators attacking Capitol Police officers, vandalizing monuments, taking down the American flag and replacing it with a Palestinian one, and attacking passersby. The demonstrators were then seen lighting the American flag on fire as they shouted anti-Israel and anti-Semitic chants. Some of the demonstrators could be seen carrying a bloodied effigy of Netanyahu with devil horns.

"I condemn the burning of the American flag. That flag is a symbol of our highest ideals as a nation and represents the promise of America," the vice president stated. "It should never be desecrated in that way. I support the right to peacefully protest, but let's be clear: Antisemitism, hate, and violence of any kind have no place in our nation."

Harris's statement comes hours after the protest occurred and just a few minutes after Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance (R-OH) condemned the presumptive Democratic nominee for not condemning the demonstration. "Anti-American and pro-Hamas rioters burned the American flag in front of the U.S. Capitol, and the woman who wants to be our president is still refusing to condemn it," Vance wrote.

While Kamala Harris seemingly refused to condemn the actions of the anti-Israel demonstrators until after her political opponents made light of it, Republicans were quick to condemn the anti-American behavior. After the protesters disbanded from Union Station, House Republican lawmakers returned the American flags to the front of Washington's busiest metro station, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance as they were raised.

"Earlier today, pro-Hamas protesters took down the American flags at Union Station, burned them, and raised Palestinian flags," Speaker Johnson (R-LA) wrote on X. "Tonight, we righted their wrong. American flags are once again flying over Union Station. We will not let the terrorist mob win."

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