Harris didn't agree to discuss Israel arms embargo, aide says

WASHINGTON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Vice President Kamala Harris did not agree to discuss imposing an arms embargo on Israel during an exchange with pro-Palestinian activists who are pushing for changes to U.S. 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 between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in Gaza, which local officials say has killed nearly 40,000 people.

"@VP has been clear: she will always ensure Israel is able to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups. She does not support an arms embargo on Israel. 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

Harris Doesn’t Support Arms Embargo on Israel, a Top Adviser Says

Her national security adviser offered one of her first firm policy positions on the Gaza war a day after she had two exchanges with Palestinian supporters in Michigan, one cordial and one confrontational.

Vice President Kamala Harris’s national security adviser said on Thursday that she did not support an arms embargo on Israel, laying out one of her first firm policy positions since becoming the Democratic nominee on how she would approach the war in Gaza.

The adviser, Phil Gordon, said on social media on Thursday morning that Ms. Harris would “always ensure Israel is able to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups.” He added: “She does not support an arms embargo on Israel. She will continue to work to protect civilians in Gaza and to uphold international humanitarian law.”