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Kamala Harris Declares ‘Unequivocal’ Support for Israel’s Defense, Dodges Question on Implementing Arms Embargo
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an event with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as part of the US-ASEAN Special Summit, in Washington, DC, May 13, 2022. Photo: REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris expressed “unequivocal” support for Israel’s defense during an interview with CNN on Thursday night but dodged a question on whether she would be willing to place an arms embargo on the Jewish state if she wins the White House in November.
CNN anchor Dana Bash mentioned that US President Joe Biden has “tried unsuccessfully” to end the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Bash asked Harris if she would consider enacting some policy suggestions from the “progressive left,” such as enacting a weapons embargo against the Jewish state to end the war in Gaza.
“Let me be very clear. I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself, and that’s not going to change,” Harris said.
“But, let’s take a step back,” Harris added, reflecting on Hamas’s Oct. 7 slaughter of roughly 1,200 people and systemic rape of women throughout southern Israel.
“As I said then, I say today: Israel has a right to defend itself. We will. And how it does so matters. Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed, and we have got to get a deal done,” Harris continued. “We must get a deal that is about getting the hostages out. I’ve met with the families of the American hostages. Let’s get the hostages out. Let’s get the ceasefire done.”
Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists also kidnapped over 250 hostages during their Oct. 7 rampage. About 108 abductees, both dead and alive, still remain in captivity in Gaza.
Bash pressed Harris further on whether she would implement a “change in policy in terms of arms.” Harris seemed to dodge the question, quickly saying “no” before immediately changing the topic to the necessity of securing a ceasefire deal and working toward a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Kamala Harris says “far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed,” but that she would *not* change policy on withholding even “some” US weapons to Israel. pic.twitter.com/1zx2uaJg3w
— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) August 30, 2024
“No, we have to get a deal done. Dana, we have to get a deal done. When you look at the significance of this, to the families, to the people who are living in that region. A deal is not only the right thing to do to end this war, but will unlock so much of what must happen next,” Harris said. “I remain committed, since I’ve been on Oct. 8, to what we must do to work toward a two-state solution, where Israel is secure and in equal measure, the Palestinians have security and self-determination and dignity.”
Harris’s comments echoed her previous statements on the Israel-Hamas war since becoming the Democratic nominee for president. Though Harris has repeatedly issued nominal support for Israel, she harbors close ties to the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which has become increasingly hostile toward the Jewish state. Harris has been under pressure from pro-Palestinian activists to break with the Biden administration by adopting a more adversarial posture toward Israel. Moreover, Harris does not have the decades-long relationship with Israeli leaders that Biden did.
In July, after holding a private meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris told reporters that “Israel has a right to defend itself and how it does so matters” and that she “will not be silent” regarding the humanitarian conditions in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
While delivering a speech to close out the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC), Harris stated that she “will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself.” She also emphasized that her administration would ensure Palestinians “realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination.”
Harris previously urged the White House to be more “sympathetic” toward Palestinians and take a “tougher” stance against Netanyahu, according to a Politico report in December. In March, White House aides forced Harris to tone down a speech that was too tough on Israel, according to NBC News.
Later, she did not rule out “consequences” for Israel if it launched a large-scale military offensive to root out Hamas battalions in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, citing humanitarian concerns for the civilian population.
Harris initially called for an “immediate ceasefire” before Biden and has often used more pointed language when discussing the war, Israel, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The post Kamala Harris Declares ‘Unequivocal’ Support for Israel’s Defense, Dodges Question on Implementing Arms Embargo first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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After False Dawns, Gazans Hope Trump Will Force End to Two-Year-Old War
Palestinians walk past a residential building destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, after Hamas agreed to release hostages and accept some other terms in a US plan to end the war, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Exhausted Palestinians in Gaza clung to hopes on Saturday that US President Donald Trump would keep up pressure on Israel to end a two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the entire population of more than two million.
Hamas’ declaration that it was ready to hand over hostages and accept some terms of Trump’s plan to end the conflict while calling for more talks on several key issues was greeted with relief in the enclave, where most homes are now in ruins.
“It’s happy news, it saves those who are still alive,” said 32-year-old Saoud Qarneyta, reacting to Hamas’ response and Trump’s intervention. “This is enough. Houses have been damaged, everything has been damaged, what is left? Nothing.”
GAZAN RESIDENT HOPES ‘WE WILL BE DONE WITH WARS’
Ismail Zayda, 40, a father of three, displaced from a suburb in northern Gaza City where Israel launched a full-scale ground operation last month, said: “We want President Trump to keep pushing for an end to the war, if this chance is lost, it means that Gaza City will be destroyed by Israel and we might not survive.
“Enough, two years of bombardment, death and starvation. Enough,” he told Reuters on a social media chat.
“God willing this will be the last war. We will hopefully be done with the wars,” said 59-year-old Ali Ahmad, speaking in one of the tented camps where most Palestinians now live.
“We urge all sides not to backtrack. Every day of delay costs lives in Gaza, it is not just time wasted, lives get wasted too,” said Tamer Al-Burai, a Gaza City businessman displaced with members of his family in central Gaza Strip.
After two previous ceasefires — one near the start of the war and another earlier this year — lasted only a few weeks, he said; “I am very optimistic this time, maybe Trump’s seeking to be remembered as a man of peace, will bring us real peace this time.”
RESIDENT WORRIES THAT NETANYAHU WILL ‘SABOTAGE’ DEAL
Some voiced hopes of returning to their homes, but the Israeli military issued a fresh warning to Gazans on Saturday to stay out of Gaza City, describing it as a “dangerous combat zone.”
Gazans have faced previous false dawns during the past two years, when Trump and others declared at several points during on-off negotiations between Hamas, Israel and Arab and US mediators that a deal was close, only for war to rage on.
“Will it happen? Can we trust Trump? Maybe we trust Trump, but will Netanyahu abide this time? He has always sabotaged everything and continued the war. I hope he ends it now,” said Aya, 31, who was displaced with her family to Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
She added: “Maybe there is a chance the war ends at October 7, two years after it began.”
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Mass Rally in Rome on Fourth Day of Italy’s Pro-Palestinian Protests
A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a national protest for Gaza in Rome, Italy, October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Large crowds assembled in central Rome on Saturday for the fourth straight day of protests in Italy since Israel intercepted an international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, and detained its activists.
People holding banners and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine” and other slogans, filed past the Colosseum, taking part in a march that organizers hoped would attract at least 1 million people.
“I’m here with a lot of other friends because I think it is important for us all to mobilize individually,” Francesco Galtieri, a 65-year-old musician from Rome, said. “If we don’t all mobilize, then nothing will change.”
Since Israel started blocking the flotilla late on Wednesday, protests have sprung up across Europe and in other parts of the world, but in Italy they have been a daily occurrence, in multiple cities.
On Friday, unions called a general strike in support of the flotilla, with demonstrations across the country that attracted more than 2 million, according to organizers. The interior ministry estimated attendance at around 400,000.
Italy’s right-wing government has been critical of the protests, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggesting that people would skip work for Gaza just as an excuse for a longer weekend break.
On Saturday, Meloni blamed protesters for insulting graffiti that appeared on a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Rome’s main train station, where Pro-Palestinian groups have been holding a protest picket.
“They say they are taking to the streets for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who was a true defender and builder of peace. A shameful act committed by people blinded by ideology,” she said in a statement.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive after Hamas terrorists staged a cross border attack on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.
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Hamas Says It Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Trump Gaza Plan
Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, October 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, and signaled readiness to immediately enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details.