U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris appeared to nod in agreement when a student accused Israel of "ethnic genocide" during a meet-up on Tuesday.
Harris visited George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia to commemorate National Voter Registration Day.
While taking questions from the audience, a female student asked about the money the U.S. is providing to Israel and Saudi Arabia, accusing the Jewish State of "ethnic genocide."
"I see that over the summer there have been, like, protests and demonstrations in astronomical numbers about the Palestinian cause," the student said.
"Just a few days ago there were funds allocated to continue backing Israel, which hurts my heart because it's ethnic genocide and displacement of people, the same that happened in America, and I'm sure you're aware of this," she said, referring to U.S. House of Representatives passing a bill, allowing funding for the Iron Dome defense system earlier this week.
The student said that the money should instead go to Americans struggling with housing and healthcare costs.
Harris replied that she "was glad" the student brought up such concerns and went on to say her opinion should be heard in a democracy.
"And again, this is about the fact that your voice, your perspective, your experience, your truth, should not be suppressed and it must be heard, right? And one of the things we're fighting for in a democracy, right?" Harris said.
Student accuses Israel of 'ethnic genocide' during visit by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris
Harris added that democracy is "at its weakest when anyone is left out" of the conversation.
"The point that you are making about policy that relates to Middle East policy, foreign policy, we still have healthy debates in our country about what is the right path, and nobody's voice should be suppressed on that," she added.
The incident took place several days after the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly last week for legislation to provide $1 billion to Israel to replenish its "Iron Dome" missile-defense system.
The vote came just two days after the funding was removed from a broader spending bill after some members of the Democratic Party said they would vote against it if the allocation of funds to Israel was not removed.