VP Harris makes concessions to anti-Israel left amid vote-withholding threats

On Saturday, Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris condemned civilian casualties in Gaza. The condemnation came after Israel attacked a school building housing Hamas militants and refugees, the New York Post reported.

Anti-Israel protestors have twice confronted Harris over the last week, The Hill reported. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have had to walk a fine line to avoid angering members of their party's anti-Israel flank while still affirming the party's traditional support for Israel.

Harris stressed Israel has "an important obligation" to minimize civilian casualties as the death toll in Gaza allegedly approaches 40,000. This figure, from a Hamas-run health ministry, does not distinguish between civilian and Hamas militant casualties.

Israel calls reports of civilian casualties "exaggerated."

Harris reportedly earlier agreed to meet with the Uncommitted National Movement, which has mobilized more than 100,000 voters who pledged to withhold their votes over President Joe Biden's pro-Israel stance.

The group claimed that Harris “expressed an openness” to discussing with them an arms embargo against Israel.

The claimed meeting drew the ire of Israel supporters who accused Harris of "kowtowing to the radical, anti-Israel mob."

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., added her voice to the criticisms.

"Kamala Harris is a Hamas sympathizer. She has made it crystal clear that she will stand with Hamas as the Jewish people are relentlessly attacked by Hamas terrorists," Blackburn said.

Despite claims of a future meeting with the pro-embargo group, Harris reiterated her support for Israel's right to "go after Hamas" and "defend itself."

Phil Gordon, Harris's national security advisor, said Harris does not favor an arms embargo against Israel.