Vice President Kamala Harris posed for the cover of Vogue magazine as Israel marked the anniversary of the October 7 massacre.
The Democratic presidential candidate, 59, appeared in the October online edition of the fashion magazine wearing a Gabriela Hearst suit and Tiffany earrings.
But as the rest of the world marked one year since Hamas terrorists invaded parts of Israel and killed 1,200 people while kidnapping 250 others, Harris was preparing for her close-up.
The photo shoot, captured by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz, took place between two public appearances Harris made on Monday.
The style bible called Harris the “candidate of our times” along with a long article featuring stories of her rise to the top of the Democratic ticket.
The Democratic presidential candidate, 59, posed for the fashion magazine’s October digital edition in a Gabriela Hearst suit and Tiffany earrings.
Israeli soldiers carry the body of a person killed in the Hamas attack on the Kfar Azza kibbutz on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
In the trending article she discussed the current conflict in the Middle East, but gave little about how she would end the crisis if elected.
When asked what “new element” he would bring to the table about the conflict, he responded that “I can’t anticipate what the circumstances will be four months from now.”
Harris later said the United States should provide a “pathway” to stability, particularly to end Israel’s war in Gaza, even more so than in Lebanon, but provided few details.
Since then, social media users have attacked the vice president for doing the photo op on the anniversary.
One person posted sarcastically: “Much more important than acknowledging human suffering.”
Another added: ‘Optics and narrative are more important to Democrats than human lives. This is sad.’ Another commented: “She’s completely out of touch.”
As part of her path to commemorate the Oct. 7 anniversary, Harris planted a pomegranate tree with her husband Doug Emhoff.
The tree was planted outside the VP’s residence to commemorate “the strength and resilience of the Jewish people” and “the horror of October 7.”
He cited the Kaddish, the Jewish prayer of mourning, to speak of “our enduring belief in God, even in our darkest moments.”
Harris, right, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff stand after planting a memorial tree on the grounds of the vice president’s residence in Washington on Monday.
Harris said she would remain committed to Israel’s security and the release of hostages held by Hamas, naming several of them in her comments.
He also mentioned the need to “alleviate the immense suffering of the innocent Palestinians in Gaza who have experienced so much pain and loss over the year.”
Emhoff spoke after Harris to say “this is an incredibly challenging day for Jews around the world, including myself.”
“Today we feel as raw as we did a year ago,” he said, describing the attack as “etched in our souls.”
The attack sparked a deadly war in Gaza, as Israel moved to eradicate Hamas’ control over the territory and try to return captives.
Another Iranian-backed group, Hezbollah, has fired thousands of rockets into Israeli territory in the same period from Lebanon.
Last month, Israel expanded a campaign of sabotage and assassination and launched a ground incursion into Lebanon to combat the group’s threat.
Meanwhile, Iran has fired large volleys of missiles at Israel, most recently a week ago. The United States helped Israel take them down.
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Noa Argamani reacts as she and her partner Avinatan Or, who is not pictured, are captured by members of the Hamas militant group.
Israeli soldiers carry bodies of murdered Israelis at Kibbutz Kfar Aza on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
In an interview with CBS’ ’60 Minutes’ that aired Monday night, Harris appeared to avoid answering a question about whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considered “a really close ally.”
She said: ‘The better question is: Do we have an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people? And the answer to that question is yes.’
In addition to the photo shoot that took place on the October 7 anniversary, Harris and Vogue were also criticized for allegedly retouching the image.
On social media, one person asked: ‘Why does this look like AI? ‘His head and hands appear to float above the suit as if superimposed on a double. It’s scaring me.
Fans of former first lady Melania Trump also reacted angrily when Harris received a Vogue cover.
The glamorous First Lady never landed a Vogue profile or cover while her husband was president or even after the recent publication of her new memoir.
‘Imagine. “Vogue, now a silly, decrepit shell of its former self, has never put the most glamorous woman in America, Melania Trump, on its cover,” wrote conservative author Pamela Geller.
“But this heavily photoshopped bitch gets an election cover, just like Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Jacinda Ardern.”
Harris appeared on the cover of Vogue twice, once when she was first elected vice president and now again when she is running for president.