Supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential bid have largely defended her when asked about the Democratic candidate’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, held a campaign rally in Arizona on Friday and in neighboring Nevada on Saturday.
At Harris’ rally in Glendale, Arizona, Angela, a Democrat from Arizona, defended Harris, adding that both parties should agree that Hamas is a big problem.
“First of all, she’s married to a Jewish man,” Angela says. “She’s committed to humanity, that’s all.”
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“On both sides of the coin, and not just on that, it is Hamas that has done wrong to the people, not the Palestinians. [who are] I’m trying to survive.”
US Vice President Kamala Harris is pictured in front of the White House. (Getty Images)
Angela said Harris wants to ensure the safety of Palestinian civilians, adding that Israel, of course, has the “Iron Dome” defense system.
“We come from different ethnic backgrounds, we have different religious beliefs, but we are one race, one humanity,” she said.
Ashlyn, in Las Vegas on Saturday, said Harris understands what is happening in Gaza is “a total atrocity,” adding that “there must be a ceasefire now.”
“I think she’s going to be very smart and diplomatic in making sure that happens. Whether that’s going to be more progressive or more moderate, I don’t know,” she said.
Ashlyn said the issue is highly controversial and needs to be approached from a moderate perspective with the hope of a “progressive” outcome.
“I believe she can do that because she has listened to her constituents,” she added.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint session of Congress in the House of Representatives chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, July 24, 2024. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Further along the line at the Thomas and Mack Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Graydon said Harris has taken a more pro-Israel stance.
For voters who disagree, he suggested it’s important to compare Harris’ positions with those of former President Trump.
“Obviously there are flaws on both sides, [will] A vote for Harris will lead to a better end to the conflict,” he said.
The Grand Canyon State native spoke at a rally near Phoenix on Friday about the Israel-Gaza conflict and border, and where Harris stands on each.
RJ said he has heard Harris speak in a way that suggests she wants a “two-state solution,” and that the vice president is just the latest senior official trying to build peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
On the border issue, RJ denied claims that Harris had been appointed “Border Secretary” and defended her against Republican claims that she has not taken action to ease the border crisis.
“Harris has gone beyond borders,” she said. “She’s visited countries and talked to them about fundamental issues there: ‘Why are people leaving their countries like they are? [to the U.S.]?’ And they addressed those issues. That’s what she should be doing.”
Scott Kirkland, from Henderson, Nevada, was waiting in line near Las Vegas on Saturday to meet Harris.
Pro-Israel supporters outside New York University’s Stern School of Business in Manhattan, New York. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
Asked to define and comment on Harris’ approach to the Israel-Gaza issue, Kirkland said she represented a moderate position.
“What’s really happening there is a gradual onset of war crimes by the Israeli government, particularly the IDF, particularly the indiscriminate bombing of many parts of Palestinian territory,” Kirkland said.
“Do I believe Hamas is a terrorist organization? Absolutely.”
“Kidnapping is… a purely criminal act. So is there room for improvement on both sides? Yes. Do I think Kamala’s position is justified? I do.”
On Friday, a rally attendee in Phoenix said he is the first Jewish superintendent of Peoria, Arizona, schools.
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“I broke that ceiling,” she said.[Harris] She is pro-Israel. She has done everything for Israel, but so are the babies who are being killed in Palestine. They need to be taken care of, too.”
The woman also noted that Harris is married to the second gentleman, Douglas Emhoff, who is Jewish.
Asked about Harris’ position on the conflict, another Harris supporter in Phoenix said only that “they should both stop fighting.”
