Harris vows to get tough on migration and supports weapons for Israel

She appears to make no major mistakes in first big inteview with unscripted setting

Ms Kamala Harris vowed a tougher approach to migration along the US southern border and said she would not withhold weapons from Israel, in her first interview with a major news organisation since becoming the Democratic nominee for president.

In the interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash, Ms Harris sought to show she is in command of the issues and give Americans a sense of her policy positions with little more than two months until Election Day on Nov 5.

Ms Harris said she would renew a push for comprehensive border legislation that would tighten migration into the United States, and vowed to "enforce our laws" against border crossings.

"We have laws that have to be followed and enforced, that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be consequence," she said.

She also hewed closely to President Joe Biden's strong support of Israel and rejected calls from some in the Democratic Party that Washington should rethink sending weapons to Israel because of the heavy Palestinian death toll in Gaza.

She said she supported a strong Israel but "we must get a deal done" to get a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.

"No, we have to get a (ceasefire and hostage) deal done," Ms Harris said when asked if she would withhold weapons to Israel.

She has been Mr Biden's vicepresident since the start of his administration.