NEW YORK (VINnews) — Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris reportedly met Wednesday with two Arab Americans leading the Uncommitted National Movement, who asked her to consider an arms embargo on Israel, at a campaign stop in Michigan, the New York Times reported.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Just before her rally, Harris met with Abbas Alawieh and Layla Elabed, who, according to the report, “wanted to support her but… wanted her to consider an arms embargo.” In response, Harris indicated she was “open to it” and introduced the two community leaders to her staff.
However, the Harris campaign later denied that she had agreed to discuss the issue. A source close to Harris told the New York Times that, while the vice president referred the organization’s leaders to her team for a meeting, she did not express openness to discussing an arms embargo on Israel.
The campaign said that Harris “will continue to work so that Israel can defend itself against Iran and terrorist organizations supported by it” and is currently focused on securing a cease-fire and a hostage deal.
At the rally, many people in the audience heckled Harris, chanting, “Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide. We won’t vote for Genocide,” attempting to persuade the presidential candidate to openly state her opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza
In response, she said, “I am here because we believe in democracy. Everyone’s voice matters, but I am speaking.” She then added, “If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.”
The Uncommitted National Movement organized tens of thousands of Michigan voters to withhold their votes for President Joe Biden in the primary over his support for Israel in the war in Gaza.
The leaders of the movement said they want to support Harris and her vice presidential pick, Tim Walz, but they want them to consider an arms embargo to immediately stop Israel’s offense in Gaza.
Michigan is a crucial swing state in the 2024 Presidential election with 15 electoral votes.
wpDiscuz