Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Friday expressed the need for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of hostages. She said this after pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted her during a rally in Glendale, Arizona.
The US vice president was more conciliatory in this case than on previous occasions.
“Now is the time to get a ceasefire agreement and the release of the hostages. President Joe Biden and I are working tirelessly every day to get that agreement. So I respect their opinions, but we are here to talk about the 2024 presidential race,” he said.
Accompanied by her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, she addressed an audience of more than 15,000 people at the event held northwest of Phoenix, Efe reports.
Arizona, which stands out as a crucial state in the elections due to its swing location and proximity to Mexico, represents a key target for presidential hopefuls.
In the 2020 election, the state favored Democrats by a narrow margin of 11,000 votes, with significant support from Latino voters.
Kamala Harris stressed the importance of the November election and warned that the stakes this time around are greater than in previous cycles.
In his speech, he stressed the need to decide between a country of “chaos, fear and hate” or one of “freedom, compassion and beauty.” He also highlighted the power of the electorate to influence the future of the country.
This visit to Arizona marked Harris’ fourth trip to the state this year, and the first since President Joe Biden officially endorsed her candidacy. The participation of the Latino electorate will be crucial in determining the outcome in this swing state, which remains an important battleground for both sides in the electoral contest.
At the local level, issues such as immigration, the economy and security remain key factors, according to a recent CBS poll, reflecting voters’ priorities in Arizona.
Israel rejects US “pressure”
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Saturday called on the United States to respect Israeli democracy and the stance of its officials after receiving criticism from the US government for its opposition to a possible ceasefire with the Islamist group Hamas.
Smotrich said on social media platform X that Israel will not submit to external pressure that could compromise its security, comparing the situation to the United States’ resistance to international pressure in past conflicts.
He also expressed his gratitude for the American support, but stressed the importance of respecting Israel’s sovereignty and its decisions.
The United States, Israel’s main ally and arms supplier, is acting as a mediator in the conflict alongside Qatar and Egypt. The mediators have urged Israel and Hamas to resume negotiations on August 15 in Doha or Cairo to advance an agreement that would close existing gaps and begin its implementation.
Continue reading:
• Arab countries condemn Israeli attack on school in Gaza, killing more than 100
• International community pressures Israel and Hamas to reach a truce
• Israel orders new mass evacuation in southern Gaza