Ella Emhoff, the stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, has been found to be actively fundraising for Gaza, according to The Post.
The 24-year-old, whose father is First Gentleman Doug Emhoff, a Jewish man, has launched a fundraising campaign titled "supporting urgent relief for Gaza's children" on her personal Instagram account. However, the campaign does not acknowledge the numerous Israeli children and innocent civilians, totaling 1,400, who were killed by Hamas terrorists on October 7.
The fundraising drive, visible to Emhoff's 315,000 Instagram followers, has so far raised over $7.8 million. The Palestinian Children's Relief Fund, a non-profit organization based in Kent, Ohio, is managing the fundraiser. According to ProPublica, the organization amassed over $21 million in 2021. The extent of Emhoff's personal contribution to the cause remains unknown.
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) expressed his deep concern over the matter, stating, "It's of tremendous concern and I find it abhorrent. To be honest with you, I am kind of stunned by it. It's disturbing to the maximum degree." Van Drew, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, suggested that it was highly likely that Hamas would divert any humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
Emhoff, who does not identify as Jewish, has made it clear to the media that she does not want to represent Judaism. A representative for Emhoff confirmed to The Forward in 2021, "Ella is not Jewish. It's not something she grew up with. Ella truly has no qualms with the faith, but she does not want to speak on behalf of Judaism, as she does not celebrate herself."
Emhoff, a model and the biological daughter of film producer Kerstin Emhoff, is known for her appearances at New York Fashion Week. She shares a close relationship with her stepmother, who congratulated her on her graduation from Parsons in 2021. "Keep dreaming with ambition and there is nothing you cannot achieve," Harris wrote.
Last month, President Biden announced a $100 million "humanitarian assistance" package for the Palestinians, a move that sparked immediate backlash from Republicans eyeing the 2024 presidential race.
Figures such as former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum have all criticized the decision.
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