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Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff were roundly criticized for their shovel skills as they planted a memorial tree for the victims of the October 7 attack. The Vice President and Second Gentleman marked the anniversary of Hamas ‘ attack on Israel by planting a pomegranate tree on the grounds of the her residence. But netizens were quick to pile on the couple for their symbolic performance, patting down the soil in front of reporters at their Washington home on Monday.
‘They both can’t even hold a shovel properly! A child in a sand box can do a better job!’ wrote Heather on Twitter /X. Critics said the apparent difficulty using a shovel showed Ms Harris ‘did not grow up in a middle class family’.
Some drew attention to her previous comments that she ‘grew up in a neighborhood of folks who were very proud of their lawn’. Collin Rugg shared the video on Twitter/X, adding: ‘Kamala Harris, who grew up as a middle-class child in a neighborhood where people cared about their lawns, struggles to use a shovel with her husband.’ ‘Harris has centered her campaign around her “growing up in the middle class.”‘ he added.
Brandon Morse added: ‘Kamala Harris trying to use a shovel is about as awkward as Kamala Harris speaking without a teleprompter.’
Another user wrote: ‘Tell me you have never touched a shovel, without telling me you have never touched a shovel.’
On Threads, worldsgreat1 wrote: ‘Kamala Harris i think you’ll make a great president but put that shovel down now.’
Ashley G drew attention to their outfits, writing: ‘in suits……….doing yard work in suits.’ Vice President Harris and her partner had, in fact, gathered to plant a tree in sombre tribute for the victims of the October 7 attack on Israel.
Harris said: ‘We must work to ensure nothing like the horrors of October 7th can ever happen again. ‘And on this solemn day, I will restate my pledge to always ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and that I will always work to ensure the safety and security of the Jewish people here and around the world.’
In remarks before the symbolic tree planting and patting of the soil, she noted that 46 Americans were killed in the Hamas-led incursion last year. ‘Today, I know many Jews will be reciting and reflecting on the Jewish prayer for mourning, the Kaddish,’ she said. ‘The words of the prayer are not about death. It is a prayer about our enduring belief in God, even in our darkest moments. So as we reflect on the horrors of October 7, let us please be reminded that we cannot lose faith.’
She added that the pomegranate tree was chosen because it symbolizes hope and righteousness in Judaism. As she spoke, pro-Palestine protesters could be heard in the background. Ms Harris reiterated her commitment to releasing the hostages still held in Gaza through a ceasefire to alleviate the ‘immense suffering’ of the Palestinian civilian population.
Some 1,200 people were killed in the October 7 attacks when Hamas and allied factions stormed into southern Israel with assault rifles and began shooting indiscriminately. Israel has killed about 42,000 Palestinians in its retaliatory strikes, according to local medical officials, destroyed large areas and displaced around 90% of its population.
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