In one of her first significant remarks about her stance on the Gaza War since entering the 2024 presidential contest in July, Kamala Harris’s top assistant declared on Thursday that she opposes a weapons embargo on her country’s ally, Israel.
The US vice president was heckled by pro-Palestinian demonstrators at a rally for the first time since she announced as the Democratic nominee less than three weeks prior, and this comment was made the day after.
Harris also had meetings with anti-war organizations in Detroit, Michigan, following the march. According to reports, participants brought up the topic of the US cutting off arms sales to Israel.
“She does not support an arms embargo on Israel,” Harris’s national security advisor Phil Gordon said on X.
“Has been clear: she will always ensure Israel is able to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups,” the vice president continued.
The Democratic left is pressing Harris to veer away from President Joe Biden’s staunch political and military backing of Israel’s war in Gaza following Hamas’s October 7 attacks.
The matter is especially crucial in Michigan, a state that will be a battleground in November’s election and is home to a sizable Arab American minority that is vehemently opposed to the war.
On Wednesday, demonstrators from Gaza frequently interrupted Harris while she was in Detroit.
“If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking,” she said, her expression hardening as she sought to quell the disruptions.
Harris will also be keen not to alienate the majority of US voters whom polls say support Israel.
As vice president, Harris has sometimes been more critical than Biden of the civilian casualties caused by Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Following Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race, Harris then abruptly changed her tone, announcing in a forcefully worded statement that she would “not be silent” on the matter following her meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
However, it seemed from Harris’s advisor’s remarks that she would not support a complete cessation of arms transfers.
The White House has only stopped sending one shipment of heavy bombs to Israel under Biden due to worries about their intended use.
US media said that Harris and her new running partner, Tim Walz, had a brief meeting on Wednesday in Detroit with the leaders of the “Uncommitted” group, which organized individuals to vote protestively against Biden in this year’s Democratic primary.
The New York Times was informed by the organization’s founders that Harris had agreed to a full meeting to address their demands for an embargo.
