Harris campaign denies support for Israeli arms embargo

In an effort at damage control, Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign reaffirmed her support for Israel Thursday after initial reports of her meeting with pro-Palestinian leaders before a rally in Detroit suggested that she expressed an openness to an arms embargo for Israel.

A campaign source told The Jerusalem Post that Harris “did not express openness to an arms embargo.”

In a post on X, Harris’s National Security Adviser Phil Gordon said Harris has been clear and will always ensure Israel can defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups.

“She does not support an arms embargo on Israel,” Gordon wrote. “She will continue to work to protect civilians in Gaza and to uphold international humanitarian law.”

According to a statement from a campaign spokesperson, Harris has “prioritized engaging with Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian community members and others regarding the war in Gaza” since October 7.

'Kamala open to an embargo'

The spokesperson said in Wednesday night’s meeting with Uncommitted National Movement’s leaders Laya Elabed and Abbas Alawieh, Harris “reaffirmed that her campaign will continue to engage with those communities.”

“The vice president is focused on securing the ceasefire and hostage deal currently on the table,” according to the campaign spokesperson. “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.”

The Uncommitted National Movement had said late on Wednesday that Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate, “shared her sympathies and expressed an openness to a meeting with Uncommitted leaders to discuss an arms embargo” during the interaction while campaigning in Detroit, according to a campaign aid.

Alawieh said on Thursday that both he and Elabed specifically asked for a meeting to discuss the demand for an arms embargo on Israel, “and in both cases, Vice President Harris expressed an openness to following up.”

He said he was very encouraged by his engagements with Harris’ office and “we’re hopeful that continued discussions will continue to be fruitful.”

The Uncommitted Movement amassed sizable vote totals in presidential nominating contests in Michigan, Minnesota, and Hawaii, and has won at least 25 delegates. Leaders have said they want to use their influence at this month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

In a reminder of how divisive the issue has been for Democrats, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters briefly interrupted Harris’ speech in Detroit on Wednesday, chanting, “Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide, we won’t vote for genocide.”

She paused for a moment, saying she believed in democracy and the importance of every voice, and then added, “But I am speaking now.” When the chants continued, she repeated, “You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.”

Trump has criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Israeli security failures that enabled Hamas to carry out the October 7 massacre and said he would work to bring about a quick end to the war.