Pennsylvania Governor and potential Democratic vice presidential nominee Josh Shapiro is walking back and apologizing for a pro-Israel op-ed he wrote in college, where he argued that peace between Israelis and Palestinians was unlikely. Now, as he eyes a spot in the second most powerful office in the world, Shapiro must reject some sensible points he made at 20.

In the op-ed, he was skeptical of the Oslo Accords, calling the peace plan “virtually impossible” due to the Palestinians’ “battle-minded” attitude. “The only way the ‘peace plan’ will be successful is if the Palestinians do not ruin it,” Shapiro wrote, adding, “Palestinians will not coexist peacefully.” He also mentioned spending five months in Israel and volunteering in the Israeli army, which has drawn criticism.

Shapiro is now distancing himself from his college views and emphasizing his long-standing support for a two-state solution. Critics accuse him of anti-Palestinian sentiments, but his spokesperson clarified that his involvement with the Israeli army was part of a service project, not military activities.

Shapiro says his views have evolved since then. At a press conference at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, the country’s oldest historically Black college, he addressed his past comments, saying, “Are you referring to something I wrote at age 20? I was 20 years old then.”