Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro recently opened up about an uncomfortable moment with Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, which questioned his loyalty to Israel, labeling him a potential ‘double agent.’ This revelation comes from Shapiro’s memoir, “Where We Keep the Light,” where he recounts the pressures he faced as a contender for Harris’ vice-presidential shortlist. Alongside Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Shapiro found himself under scrutiny, particularly regarding his stance on Israel during the ongoing conflict with Hamas. According to The New York Times, he found the direct questioning offensive and expressed his dismay, only to be told, ‘Well, we have to ask.’

Despite understanding that the inquiry was part of the interviewer’s responsibilities, Shapiro was disturbed by the implications. He questioned whether such scrutiny was exclusive to him as the sole Jewish candidate or if others without federal office experience faced similar interrogations. His personal history added to the tension, as his home had once been targeted in connection to the Gaza conflict. Shapiro, known for his outspoken stance against antisemitism on campuses, described the sessions as professional yet anxiety-inducing.

Shapiro was a strong contender for the vice-presidential role, given his influence in a crucial swing state. However, some within the Democratic Party were apprehensive about his perceived pro-Israel stance, fearing it might reignite divisive debates over Gaza, potentially jeopardizing Harris’ campaign. Harris herself addressed these delicate matters in her own memoir, “107 Days,” released last year. She noted the challenges Shapiro faced regarding Gaza and contemplated their potential impact on the campaign’s momentum.

Yet she also noted that Shapiro had been critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. What really seemed to motivate Harris to pick Walz over Shapiro was ‘a nagging concern that [Shapiro] would be unable to settle for a role as number two and that it would wear on our partnership,’ according to her memoir. She described the Pennsylvania governor as someone who was ‘peppering’ her and her staff with questions about the details of the jobs, including details on the vice president’s residence at the Naval Observatory.

Shapiro wanted to know how many bedrooms there were, and whether he could arrange to have more art from Pennsylvania artists in the home if he was elected vice president. He also wanted to make sure he would be in the room before Harris made her final decision on any significant political issue. The demand was similar to that of former President Barack Obama’s concession to then-Senator Joe Biden who he chose as vice president. ‘If we had door A and door B as options, and she was for door A and I was for door B, I just wanted to make sure that I could make the case for door B and if I didn’t convince her, then I’d run right through a brick wall to support her decision,’ Shapiro explained of his request. ‘She was crystal clear that that was not what she was looking for.’ The Daily Mail has reached out to Harris’ office for comment.