Vice President Kamala Harris faces backlash after suggesting she might consider an arms embargo on Israel in exchange for votes, prompting a swift clarification from her campaign.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign issued a statement Wednesday evening to clarify remarks she made earlier in a meeting with anti-Israel activists, where she appeared open to discussing an arms embargo on Israel in exchange for votes in Michigan.
Earlier that day, Vice President Harris had suggested she would consider an arms embargo against Israel in a meeting with leaders of the “Uncommitted National Movement,” a group of Muslim and Arab voters in Michigan who withheld their support for President Biden in the primary due to his stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza. The New York Times reported that Harris met briefly with the movement's co-founders, Abbas Alawieh and Layla Elabed, who urged her to consider an embargo as a way to stop the violence in Gaza. Harris listened to their concerns, including stories of family members lost in Gaza, and indicated she was open to discussing the request further, even introducing the activists to her staff.
Later, during a rally in Detroit, Harris was confronted by pro-Palestinian protesters.
Harris’s comments about the embargo marked a significant shift in her policy on Israel. Earlier in the year, she had diverged from President Biden by calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. More recently, she faced criticism for not selecting Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, as her running mate, which some saw as a concession to anti-Israel Democrats.
In response to the growing controversy, Harris’s campaign issued a statement that evening, stating: “Since October 7, the Vice President has prioritized engaging with Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian community members and others regarding the war in Gaza. In this brief engagement, she reaffirmed that her campaign will continue to engage with those communities. 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. 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.”
The statement notably did not mention the release of all hostages or the disarmament of Hamas.
Harris’s off-the-cuff remarks caused enough concern within her campaign to highlight her advisors' hesitancy to have her speak unscripted to the press or public. Since joining the 2024 presidential race 18 days ago, she has not participated in interviews or press conferences.
When asked about the Harris campaign’s statement, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer declined to comment, citing a policy of non-intervention in domestic elections. He emphasized the importance of maintaining bipartisan U.S. support for Israel, noting shared values between the countries and the mutual threat posed by Iran.
.png)