Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The outpouring of anger among Jews in the United States has also colored protests against the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Palestine. One of them was carried out by the Jewish community Jewish Voice for Peace.
The organization held a protest regarding Israel towards Palestine in Washington DC on Wednesday (18/10/2023). In fact, some of them say that Israel under Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is planning genocide.
They held a demonstration or demonstration in the lobby of the United States (US) Congress building or The Capitol, while unfurling a large banner saying ceasefire. Their actions were monitored by local police.
“We closed the congress to draw the attention of the masses to US involvement in Israel’s oppression of Palestinians,” said the group, as quoted by Al Jazeera, Sunday (22/10/2023).
As a result of protests against “Israel’s ongoing oppression of Palestinians,” 500 people were arrested. US Capitol Police said they had cleared the rotunda area, and were still processing arrests.
Since Monday (16/10/2023), this US left-wing Jewish group has gathered outside the White House to urge the Biden administration to pressure Israel to cancel plans for a military invasion of Gaza and instead immediately announce a ceasefire.
They also accused Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of planning “genocide”. The IfNotNow and Jewish Voice for Peace campaign groups continued to shout slogans, carry placards and sing ancient Jewish songs.
This was done in protest against the deadly attack on October 7 by the Palestinian group Hamas which killed at least 1,400 Israelis. Then, also against Israel’s indiscriminate counterattack.
These demonstrators believe that US President Joe Biden was involved in Israel’s retaliatory bombing which has destroyed the Gaza neighborhood, cut off water and electricity, and left around 2,200 Palestinians dead, including 700 children.
The criticism of the US president comes as he is considering the Israeli prime minister’s offer to visit Israel as the country mourns the aftermath of Hamas attacks.
For information, Biden has provided firm support for the country since it was attacked, but warned that the re-occupation of Gaza – which Israel officially withdrew in 2005 – was a mistake.
Standing outside the White House gates, Eva Borgwardt, political director of IfNotNow, demanded an urgent meeting with Biden. “The stakes are life or death,” he said, as quoted by The Guardian.
“We are here to tell President Biden, as the world’s most powerful military commander, that he needs to do everything in his power to demand a ceasefire, demand de-escalation, free Israeli hostages, and address the underlying circumstances that have led us into a dream this is bad.”
Protest organizers said they were ready to engage in civil disobedience to influence US policy, including blocking entrances and exits to the White House.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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Originally posted 2023-10-22 11:15:07.