Harris tells Gaza protesters ‘now is the time’ for cease-fire deal

Vice President Harris told protesters who interrupted her campaign rally in Phoenix that the time is now for a cease-fire deal to get done in the war between Israel and Gaza.

A group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators shouted out “free, free Palestine” during Harris’s Arizona event, the second time this week she has been interrupted by individuals upset about the war in Gaza.

“Hold on. Here’s the thing: we are all in here together. I’m told an extraordinary number of folks who are here together because we love our country,” Harris said. "We’re here to fight for our democracy, which includes respecting the voices that I think we are hearing from.

“I have been clear: now is the time to get a cease-fire deal and get the hostage deal done. Now is the time,” Harris continued. “And the president and I are working around the clock every day to get that cease-fire deal done and bring the hostages home. So, I respect your voices, but we are here to now talk about this race in 2024.”

Harris on Wednesday was interrupted by Gaza protesters at a rally in Detroit who shouted, “Kamala, Kamala you can’t hide, we won’t vote for genocide.” As protesters continued to interrupt, Harris gave a blunt response.

“You know what, if you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking,” she said.

The vice president’s national security adviser said Thursday she does not support an arms embargo on Israel, something protesters have called for.

The war in Gaza has divided some Democrats dating back to October, when Hamas killed roughly 1,200 Israelis and took more than 200 hostage. Israel has responded with a military campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians.

Harris has been aligned with Biden in vowing ironclad support for Israel, and she has stressed that the way Israel carries out its war against Hamas matters and that more needs to be done to protect civilians in Gaza.

“I’ve said it many times, but it bears repeating: Israel has a right to defend itself, but how it does so matters,” Harris said following a meeting with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month.