Kamala Harris says ‘now is the time’ for cease-fire after being interrupted by Gaza protesters

US vice president Kamala Harris on Friday for the second time in the week had to tackle hecklers head raising chants on the plight of the Gaza war at her rally. The presumptive Democratic nominee, who held a joint rally with her new Veep pick Tim Walz in Arizona was forced to shut down protesters reportedly chanting “free, free Palestine” by pausing mid-way and suggesting that “respecting the voices” of dissent as part of the “fight for democracy.”
“Hold on a second, let me just say this, on topic of what I think I’m hearing over there,” Harris said.
As the reception got louder, Kamala said, “I have been clear, now is the time to get a cease-fire deal and get the hostage deal done.”

The vice president, who is now vying to become the 47th president of the United States, said she along with Biden “are working around the clock every day” to reach a deal and bring home hostages who remain captive in Gaza.
This is not the first time, where the VP had to stop midway and address the protesters. In a response not that different from Friday, Kamala Harris on Wednesday as a group of about eight women interrupted the event with pro-Palestinian messages , said “because we believe in democracy, everyone’s voice matters, but I am speaking now.”
Harris then went on to say. “If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.” The conflict in Gaza has proven to be a major poll plank, featuring prominently among progressive and young voters as well as Arab American and Muslim communities.
Kamala Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, briefly met with Uncommitted National Movement on Wednesday in an effort to attract discontent voters with President Joe Biden’s handling of the conflict in Gaza. Layla Elabed and Abbas Alawieh, the co-founders of the group, expressed to Harris and Walz their concerns about the US supplying weapons to Israel and the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, according to a statement from the group, CNN reported.
“The VP was receptive. I thanked her for the attention her staff is giving to our request for a meeting about an arms embargo. She thanked me for being there and for my work,” Alawieh, who is an “uncommitted” delegate to the Democratic National Convention was quoted as telling in the report.
Meanwhile, Kamala Harris’ national security adviser Phil Gordon said on X, “VP has been clear: she will always ensure Israel is able to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups.”
“She does not support an arms embargo on Israel. She will continue to work to protect civilians in Gaza and to uphold international humanitarian law.”