Tensions over the Israel-Gaza conflict spilled onto the streets of Germantown on Monday when an unknown vandal spray-painted "Genocide HQ" in large red letters across the window of a campaign office for Vice President Kamala Harris.

The graffiti, painted in bright red over campaign posters for Harris and Sen. Bob Casey, appeared on the side window facing Morris Street at the corner of West Chelten Avenue, across from the new Germantown Weavers Way Co-op. The office was originally opened by President Joe Biden's campaign in July and was taken over by the Harris campaign after Biden withdrew from the race. 

Allison Budschalow, one of many Germantown residents who took note of the bright red tag that morning, said she wasn’t surprised to see the words.

"People have the right to their opinion and a can of spray paint, I guess," Budschalow told the Local. "I think that this is definitely a sign of people's frustrations and people's agony."

The vandalism comes as Harris faces growing pressure from some in the Democratic Party over the administration's stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. The Local reached out to both the Harris campaign headquarters and the Pennsylvania Democratic Party for comment on this story but as of press time on Tuesday got no response. 

During the Sept. 10 presidential debate, Harris reaffirmed her support for Israel while acknowledging the devastation in Gaza.

"Let me be clear, I will always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself," Harris said. She added, "At the same time, what has happened in Gaza in the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking."

Pro-Palestinian protesters who oppose the use of U.S. weapons in the conflict have since continued to press for a policy change, while Harris has maintained her support for Israel's right to defend itself while continuing to emphasize the need to protect Palestinian civilians.

State Rep. Chris Rabb, who represents much of Mt. Airy and Cedarbrook and is an active member of the city’s progressive wing of the Democratic Party, said he worries the issue may dampen voter turnout and potentially impact her bid for the presidency. 

"Democrats have to acknowledge that there is a progressive subset of what once was their base that is not being heard, and wants her to be on the right side of history," Rabb said. "There's great concern that there are going to be folks who stay home."

Noting the thin 80,000 vote margin by which Biden won in 2020, Rabb said Harris needs these voters to win. 

“We can’t afford to have this type of tension this close to such an important race,” he said. “If they don’t feel heard, you can’t blame that on (Republican candidate Donald) Trump. The only way to deal with it is head-on, and to address those concerns.”

Rabb, whose district has the highest number of registered Democrats and the highest voter turnout in the state, acknowledged the challenge Harris faces in balancing the needs of progressive and centrist voters.

But she chose it, he said. 

"No one made anyone run for president, and you knew what you were getting into when you did this," he said. "It's really on the Harris campaign to figure out what they can do to reach out to disaffected voters."

Budschalow, referencing "uncommitted" protest votes in recent Democratic primaries, urged the Harris campaign to address concerns over the ongoing war in Gaza.

"I hope the vice president meets again with the uncommitted block and hears what their interests are and does change her commitments now," Budschalow said. "Whatever comes in November, hopefully, she will then keep those commitments and promises that she makes to people."

Despite his concerns, Rabb said he "absolutely" intends to vote for Harris.

"Voting is not a love letter to the person on the ballot," he said. "Unless you're a billionaire, you can't afford to be a one-issue voter. So I've never really loved anyone I ever voted for president. That's not my standard. My standard is to be able to hold them to account and to facilitate an agenda. I can hold Harris to account in ways that I could never hold Trump."