Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, told anti-Israel protesters in Arizona on Friday that “now is the time” for a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza as her battleground-tour campaign speech was interrupted for a second time this week.
Protesters started shouting “free Palestine” at a campaign rally in Phoenix, prompting Harris to directly respond to their demands. Calling for a cease-fire that involves the return of more than 100 remaining hostages from Gaza, the Democratic nominee also said she respects all voices but politely told the shouting hecklers to let her continue talking about the 2024 race.
“Hold on. Here’s the thing: we are all in here together. I’m told an extraordinary number of folks who are here together because we love our country. We’re here to fight for our democracy, which includes respecting the voices that I think we are hearing from,” Harris said.
“I have been clear: now is the time to get a cease-fire deal and get the hostage deal done. Now is the time,” she added. “And the president and I are working around the clock every day to get that cease-fire deal done and bring the hostages home. So, I respect your voices, but we are here to now talk about this race in 2024.”
The response was much softer than her blunt exchange with Michigan anti-Israel protesters, whom she scolded for interrupting her campaign speech on Wednesday.
“I’m here because I believe in democracy. Everyone’s voice matters, but I am speaking now,” a clearly irritated Harris said, before reprimanding the protesters for making former president Donald Trump’s victory in November more likely. “You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.”
Like President Joe Biden, Harris supports Israel’s right to defend itself but argues the Jewish state should conduct its Gaza military campaign in a way that doesn’t put Palestinian civilians in harm’s way. Harris could face pushback for her administration’s stance on Israel, as the conflict remains a concern for Democratic voters and anti-Israel activists.
During her campaign visit to Detroit, representatives of the Uncommitted National Movement briefly spoke with Harris to propose imposing an arms embargo on Israel. The Democratic voter group, which organized primary voters to cast a ballot for “uncommitted” instead of voting for Biden due to his support for Israel, claimed Harris “expressed an openness to meeting with Uncommitted leaders” about the potential sanction.
The Harris campaign shot down the prospect of such a meeting, saying the vice president did not agree to discuss an arms embargo on Israel amid its ongoing war with Hamas.
“The Vice President has been clear: she will always work to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups,” a campaign spokesperson said. “The Vice President is focused on securing the ceasefire and hostage deal currently on the table. As she has said, it is time for this war to end in a way where: Israel is secure, hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinian civilians ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, and self-determination.”
Harris’s national-security adviser, Phil Gordon, similarly said she “does not support an arms embargo on Israel” but remains committed to protecting “civilians in Gaza” and upholding “international humanitarian law.”
Both verbal exchanges with anti-Israel protesters this week came amid the swing-state tour that Harris launched shortly after selecting Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Their planned campaign stops to Durham, N.C., and Savannah, Ga., were postponed because of Tropical Storm Debby. After Friday’s visit to Phoenix, the pair head to Las Vegas next on Saturday.