Kamala Harris against arms embargo on Israel, adviser says

Photo: Julia Nikhinson Associated Press Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport to board Air Force Two, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Eau Claire, Wis.

Danny Kemp – Agence France-Presse in Washington

Posted at 8:34 p.m.

• Europe

Kamala Harris is not considering an arms embargo on Israel, a close aide to the Democratic presidential candidate said Thursday, a rare statement from her campaign team about her Middle East agenda.

“She does not support an arms embargo on Israel,” said Phil Gordon, her national security adviser. According to him, the vice president “has been clear: she will always ensure that Israel is able to defend itself against Iran and the terrorist groups supported by Iran.”

Buoyed by a favorable dynamic, Kamala Harris was heckled on Wednesday by pro-Palestinian demonstrators during a campaign rally.

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These scenes had become commonplace during Joe Biden's travels, before the 81-year-old American president ultimately gave up the race for the White House due to doubts about his physical and mental capacities.

The United States remains by far Israel's leading military supporter, which divides the Democratic camp, particularly since the devastating offensive led by this country in the Gaza Strip, in response to the bloody attack by Hamas on Israeli soil on October 7th.

Kamala Harris met with anti-war activists in Michigan, a key state she hopes to win in November’s election against Republican Donald Trump and which has a large Arab population.

Denouncing the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory, the left wing of the Democratic Party is pushing for a change in direction on this thorny issue.

In Detroit, Kamala Harris was interrupted by pro-Palestinian activists shouting “we will not vote for genocide!” “If you want Donald Trump to win, keep saying that,” she said with aplomb. “Otherwise, I’m the one talking.”

After a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Kamala Harris promised that she would “not remain silent” on the “tragedies” of Gaza, a territory besieged and relentlessly bombed by Israel for ten months.

Under the presidency of Joe Biden, the White House has suspended only one delivery of heavy bombs to Israel, due to fears for civilians.