Democratic front-runner Kamala Harris' team quickly denied claims that she said on Wednesday she was open to “discussions” about an arms embargo on Israel.

The Untethered National Movement, a Palestinian activist group that has been a vocal critic of Israel's war on Gaza, statement He said he met Harris on Wednesday while campaigning. Rally The same day, a group of activists in Detroit said in a statement that they had “requested a formal meeting with Vice President Harris to further discuss our demands for an arms embargo and a permanent ceasefire.” (Related article: Americans largely agree that November's vote poses a challenge to democracy, but not a threat: poll)

“The Vice President expressed sympathy and a willingness to meet with non-binding leaders to discuss the arms embargo,” the group said in a statement. Members who met with Harris “appreciated the Vice President's willingness to address the demands of non-binding constituents.”

Harris has not since publicly spoken about the group's claims or whether she would negotiate an arms embargo against Israel, and as of Thursday she had not given an interview to a reporter since announcing her presidential candidacy on July 21.

Harris herself has not spoken about the matter, but National Security Adviser Phil Gordon statement On Thursday, she insisted she was “clear” on the issue and would “always ensure that Israel can defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations. We do not support an arms embargo against Israel.”

Non-binding national movement Responded They disagreed with Gordon's statement on Thursday, claiming that Harris had expressed a “willingness to meet to discuss the arms embargo.”

US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris poses with supporters after speaking during a campaign rally at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus, Michigan, on August 7, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Kowalski/AFP via Getty Images)

Harris has been largely aligned with President Joe Biden on issues related to Israel's war and its impact on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Biden administration has been vocal about the need for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and recently delayed an arms shipment to Israel, citing concerns that the use of bombs and other weapons would have a disproportionate impact on civilian areas.

But Harris appeared to be more forceful about the need for a ceasefire, and personally pressed the Biden administration to “do more to pursue long-term peace and a two-state solution” and to be “tougher” on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, three people familiar with the matter previously said. talked To Politico.

Former US government officials and defence experts have previously told the DCNF they fear Harris may not be equipped to effectively pursue foreign and national security policy.

“Harris was a foreign policy and national security novice in 2021, and remains a novice even after a concentrated effort to shore up her credibility on the international stage,” Michael Barrs, a former White House senior communications adviser and National Security Council official, previously told DCNF.

The Harris campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

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