Harris Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza at Campaign Rally: 'Now is the Time for Peace'

According to SAEDNEWS, In Glendale, Arizona, a crowd of around 15,000 demonstrators voiced their support for Palestinian freedom during a speech by Vice President Kamala Harris. The protesters shouted, “Free, free Palestine,” as Harris took a moment to address their concerns directly, saying, “I have been clear: now is the time to get a ceasefire deal and get the hostage deal done.”

Reporting on the event, Al Jazeera’s Phil Lavelle noted the complex situation Harris finds herself in. While both she and President Joe Biden have publicly backed a ceasefire amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, their administration is simultaneously dispatching increased military aid to Israel, which is intensifying its military actions against Gaza. “In her role as vice president, she supports the Biden administration. But her team is also keen on making sure that she’s the one who can push through a ceasefire. It’s like two parallel worlds,” Lavelle explained.

During her speech, Harris acknowledged the demonstrators, stating, “The president and I are working around the clock every day to get that ceasefire deal done and bring the hostages home. I respect your voices, but we are here to now talk about the race in 2024.” This acknowledgment highlights the balancing act Harris must perform: she aims to address a critical base within her own party that opposes Israel's actions in Gaza while also remaining mindful of the broader electorate that may sympathize with Israel.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported staggering losses, with at least 39,790 people killed and over 92,000 wounded in the ongoing conflict. On the Israeli side, the fallout from the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 resulted in 1,139 deaths, with more than 200 individuals taken captive.

Harris's visit to Arizona is part of a strategic weeklong tour following her announcement of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Her campaign focus is on rallying support in seven states that could be crucial for the November 5 election. As she navigates these intricate political waters, the Vice President continues to seek ways to unite her party while addressing urgent humanitarian concerns in the region.