Nika Soon-Shiong criticized the White House’s support for Israel, partly citing it as the reason for the newspaper’s non-endorsement.
In the days since Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong blocked the newspaper’s editorial board’s plan to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, his daughter—who said she was part of the decision—accused the Biden-Harris administration of supporting what she described as Israel’s « genocide » of Palestinians as part of the reason.
The United States is a strong ally of Israel and has provided billions in military aid and diplomatic support to the country over the years, with recent reports showing a record $17.9 billion in assistance since the war in Gaza began last year.
Following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 250 others being taken hostage, the White House has backed Israel’s military operations.
In addition, the Biden-Harris administration has deployed thousands of additional U.S. troops, along with warships and fighter jets, to the region in recent weeks. The Pentagon also deployed a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system along with around 100 U.S. personnel to the Middle Eastern country.
Earlier this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an additional $135 million in American aid to the Palestinians. During his trip to the region, Blinken urged Israel to seek a cease-fire deal with Gaza that would end the war and bring back the remaining hostages.
In series of posts on X, formerly Twitter, late Thursday evening local time, 31-year-old Nika Soon-Shiong shed light on her family’s decision to block the newspaper’s endorsement of Harris, the Democratic nominee and a California native, ahead of the November presidential election, writing, « For me, genocide is the line in the sand. »
Newsweek has reached out to Harris for comment via email on Saturday.
In another post she added, « For my family, Apartheid is not a vague concept. My father was an emergency surgeon at Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.
