Kamala Harris addresses Palestine protesters about Gaza ceasefire at rally

Democratic presidential candidate changes tone to answer demonstrators, but US policy with Israel remains unchanged

US Vice President Kamala Harris said 'now is the time to get a ceasefire deal and get the hostage deal done' during a campaign event in Phoenix, Arizona, US, on August 9, 2024. Bloomberg

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Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris answered pro-Palestine protesters with comments on a Gaza ceasefire at a 2024 election rally in Arizona, saying "now is the time" to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas.

“I have been clear: now is the time to get a ceasefire deal and get the hostage deal done," the US Vice President said.

Reports said that a small group of demonstrators were shouting “Free, free, free Palestine" when Ms Harris started speaking to the crowd estimated at more than 15,000 supporters on Friday evening.

She paused her remarks and pointed in the direction of the chants, saying she wanted to address them.

"The president and I are working around the clock every day to get that ceasefire deal done and bring the hostages home," Ms Harris said, with supporters cheering in response.

"So, I respect your voices, but we are here to now talk about the race in 2024."

Ms Harris has faced anger from liberal voters who disagree with her and President Joe Biden's support for Israel in its war in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led October 7 attack that cost the lives of 1,200 people.

More than 39,790 people have been killed in Israeli military operations conducted in Gaza, according to health officials in the Palestinian enclave, while humanitarian crises expand.

Inheriting Mr Biden's campaign after he ended his re-election bid in July, Ms Harris has now taken on the liability in her hopes for an electoral win in the November 5 vote.

Her comments were a change in tone for Ms Harris, who shut down pro-Palestine protesters earlier in the week.

On Wednesday, she responded differently when demonstrators interrupted her Detroit-area rally in Michigan, chanting "Kamala, Kamala you can’t hide, we won’t vote for genocide".

Ms Harris first talked over the protesters. As the demonstrators continued, she shut them down and accused them as being supporters of the Republican candidate Donald Trump.

"If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I'm speaking," she said.

While Ms Harris' response on Friday was a change in tone, it was not a change in policy for the Biden administration.

Leaders of the "uncommitted" voter movement – consisting of Democratic voters who are trying to change US policy by threatening their votes – briefly met with Ms Harris earlier in the week.

They claimed that Ms Harris was willing to meet with them about their arguments for an arms embargo on Israel.

Her national security adviser Phil Gordon publicly stated on X that she would "continue to work to protect civilians in Gaza and to uphold international humanitarian law" but not support an arms embargo on Israel.

"The Vice President has been clear: she will always ensure Israel is able to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups," he wrote.

The US has continued to supply Israel of weapons and security assistance despite international court investigations into human rights abuses.

On Friday, the State Department supplied Israel with $3.5 billion to spend on weapons and military equipment.