Harris rules out Israel arms embargo in TV interview, stresses 'right to self-defence' despite Gaza casualties

Kamala Harris will not end the US's long-standing policy of arming Israel if she is elected president, stressing its right to "self-defence" in her first joint televised interview with her running mate, Tim Walz.

Harris told CNN anchor Dana Bash pressed her on the issue by asking if she would take a different approach to President Joe Biden regarding Israel's war in Gaza, suggesting the example of "withholding some US weapons shipment to Israel".

Harris failed to respond to the question directly and instead echoed the statements she made at last week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where she stressed Israel's "right to defend itself".

"Let me be very clear; I’m unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defence and its ability to defend itself, and that’s not going to change," she said.

In her question, Bash highlighted that an arms embargo on Israel is something that many on "the progressive US left" have urged the Biden administration to do so in recent months.

Harris then went on to mention the Hamas attack on 7 October, in which around 1,200 Israelis were reportedly killed, and brought up the unverified allegation that the Palestinian group had raped multiple women during the attacks.

However, many of the allegations of sexual assault could not be independently verified, partly due to obstruction by Israeli authorities.

Other allegations made relating to the events of 7 October had been debunked by footage released by the Israeli military and verified accounts by residents of Kibbutz Be'eri.

Harris then stressed that a ceasefire deal must be agreed on, as "far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed".

"We have to get a deal done in Doha. We have to get a deal done. This war must end," she said.

Bash again asked about ending weapons imports to Israel, to which Harris replied with a firm "no" and pivoted towards the importance of securing a ceasefire deal.

"A deal is not only the right thing to do to end this war, but will unlock so much of what happens next," she added.

"I remain committed — since I’ve been on October 8 — to what we must do to work toward a two-state solution, where Israel is secure and — in equal measure — the Palestinians have security and self-determination and dignity."

During the interview, Harris also answered questions relating to immigration, the economy, and her rival Donald Trump.

Harris, while slightly more critical of Israel than Biden, is also viewed as a strong supporter of the country.

Last Thursday at the Democratic National Convention, she said: "I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself, and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself, because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organisation called Hamas caused on October 7, including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young people at a music festival."

Earlier this month, the Democratic nominee said she doesn’t support an arms embargo on Israel, in one of her first statements on the Gaza war since officially entering the presidential race in July.

Her response came one day after she was heckled at a rally by pro-Palestinian activists, who chanted "Kamala, Kamala, Kamala you can’t hide, we won’t vote for genocide".

She responded by saying: "You know what, if you want Donald Trump to win then say that. Otherwise I’m speaking."

US pro-Palestinian activists, doctors and progressive politicians have called for an end to arms sales to Israel, as US-made weaponry has been used by Israel on multiple occasions to kill Palestinians in Gaza.

The US has provided Israel with billions of dollars in weaponry since 7 October, and has supplied Israel with mammoth amounts of arms over the years as the country's biggest ally.

Harris, however, has sporadically criticised Israel’s conduct in Gaza, where at least 40,602 Palestinians have been killed by relentless bombings and strikes.

Israel's onslaught on Gaza has been described as war crimes and genocide by leading rights experts, some world leaders and UN agencies.

In July, Harris said: "What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is devastating. The images of dead children and desperate hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third or fourth time."