WASHINGTON: Vice President Kamala Harris did not agree to discuss imposing an arms embargo on the Zionist entity during an exchange with pro-Palestinian activists who are pushing for changes to US policy toward its ally over the Gaza war, an aide said on Thursday. The Uncommitted National Movement had said late on Wednesday that Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate, had “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, the aide said.

The aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Harris did not express a willingness to discuss an arms embargo. But a campaign spokesperson said the vice president did tell members of the Muslim and Palestinian community she would continue to engage with them on the war the Zionist entity is waging in Gaza, which local officials say has killed nearly 40,000 people.

“@VP has been clear: she will always ensure (the Zionist entity) is able to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups. She does not support an arms embargo on (the Zionist entity). She will continue to work to protect civilians in Gaza and to uphold international humanitarian law,” Harris’s national security adviser, Phil Gordon, said in a post on X.

Two founders of the Uncommitted group, Layla Elabed and Abbas Alawieh, said they spoke briefly with both Harris and newly minted running mate Tim Walz of Minnesota about their concerns about the US supplying weapons to the Zionist entity as it wages war in Gaza.

Alawieh said on Thursday that both he and Elabed asked for a meeting specifically to discuss the demand for an arms embargo on (the Zionist entity), “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 hoped discussions would continue to be fruitful.

MICHIGAN: US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on August 7, 2024.

‘I’m speaking’

The Uncommitted political group was organized to oppose President Joe Biden’s staunch support for the Zionist entity’s war, which has displaced nearly 80 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million people and caused severe food shortages. The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has prompted calls for Washington to put conditions on the billions of dollars in military funding and other assistance it provides to the entity, which has received more US foreign aid since World War Two than any other country. The United States in May paused a shipment of 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs due to concern over the impact they could have in Gaza.

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 interrupted Harris’ speech in Detroit on Wednesday, chanting, “Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide, we won’t vote for genocide.” Harris was cruising through her prepared remarks about the plans of Donald Trump’s allies for a second Trump administration when protests began to echo through the room.

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.”

Her reaction also suggests a new approach to dealing with the protests. In January, protesters calling for a cease-fire in Gaza interrupted President Joe Biden’s speech. “That’s all right, that’s all right,” the president said, as they were escorted out. “Look, folks, I understand their passion.” At the time, the president’s response felt like a careful balancing of the rights of free speech with a complicated political dynamic. But over the past 10 months, there has been a growing sense of impatience with such protests, which some in the Democratic Party believe threaten to divide the party against itself, paving the way for another Trump administration. — Agencies