Vice President Kamala Harris lashed out at a pro-Gaza protester on Saturday after mourning the loss of civilian lives in Gaza during the war with Israel.
Harris addressed the ongoing conflict during her speech at the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy fundraising dinner in Detroit.
When the vice president said she and the president were working to end the war between Israel and Hamas, a woman stood up and started yelling at Harris.
“I’m speaking now,” Harris said sternly, as security moved quickly to push the protester out of the room. “I appreciate and respect your voice, but I’m speaking now.”
Harris on Saturday celebrated the news that Israel had rescued four hostages, but acknowledged that many civilian lives were lost during the operation.
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event in Michigan
“Fortunately, four of those hostages have been reunited with their families tonight,” she said. “And we mourn all the innocent lives lost in Gaza, including those who tragically died today.”
Israelis celebrated after four of the hostages captured and held by Hamas on October 7 were rescued as part of an Israeli military operation.
The freed hostages were Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrei Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health said The Israeli hostage rescue operation killed 274 Palestinians, but the Israeli estimated the list of victims was fewer than 100.
Harris defended the Biden administration’s approach to the Israel-Gaza war.
“We have worked every day to end this conflict in a way that keeps Israel safe, brings all hostages home, ends the ongoing suffering for the Palestinian people and ensures Palestinians can enjoy their right to self-determination, dignity and freedom. ‘ she said.
President Joe Biden and Harris are struggling to gain support from Michigan’s Arab-American communities, who are angry at the administration’s support of Israel during its war with Hamas.
A pro-Gaza protester is quickly led away from a fundraising dinner with Vice President Kamala Harris
Pro-Palestinian protesters continue to disrupt campaign events with Biden and Harris
The Biden campaign also continues to grapple with disruptions by protesters at campaign events calling the president “Genocide Joe” and the vice president “Killer Kamala.”
Harris was also harassed by pro-Gaza protesters on Tuesday during an appearance for a taping of Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show.
‘You’re a fucking murderer! How many babies have you killed?’ shouted one protester as the show started.
The protests were removed from the show when it aired, but anti-war activists from Code Pink published them on YouTube.
Thousands of angry pro-Palestinian protesters gathered at the White House on Saturday, demanding that Biden push for a ceasefire in Gaza.
A protester wearing a Hamas headband held up a bloodied face mask of President Biden as they called for an end to the war. Other protesters defaced a statue in Lafayette Park with angry messages aimed at Biden.
The president was in France during the protest.
During her dinner speech, Harris praised Biden’s negotiations with Qatar and Egypt to pressure Israel to offer a ceasefire in Gaza and withdraw completely from the area.
“As President Biden said last week, it is time for this war to end,” she said.
Actress Octavia Spencer campaigned with Harris in Michigan on Saturday
Harris spent the day in Michigan, where she attended a fundraising event in Ann Arbor where she mocked former President Donald Trump.
Actress Octavia Spencer joined Harris for her events, including a stop at a bookstore in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Spencer praised Biden and Harris for helping the Black community, pointing out that they sent them direct payments from the government as part of the coronavirus relief bill.
“One of the first things Joe and Kamala did when they came to power was deliver checks directly into the pockets of millions of Americans,” she said. “$1,400 American Rescue Plan checks and another $300 per month per child per family.”
Harris took a shot at former President Donald Trump, referring to the New York jury’s verdict on 34 felony convictions in the “hush money” trial.
‘Do you know why he’s complaining? Because the reality is that cheaters don’t like being caught,” she said.
Harris criticized Trump for describing the verdict as politically motivated.
“Simply put, Donald Trump thinks he’s above the law. “This should be disqualifying for anyone who wants to be president of the United States,” she said.