Activists opposing Israel’s conflict in Gaza and the U.S. support for its ally are planning protests at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, coinciding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. this week.
Law enforcement anticipates a “large number of demonstrators” and has increased security measures, although there are no known threats. Netanyahu will be in Washington this week to address a joint session of Congress on July 24 and is expected to meet with President Joe Biden.
The U.S. has witnessed months of demonstrations by pro-Palestinian groups and college students protesting U.S. support for Israel during the Gaza conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 38,983 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, displaced nearly the entire population of 2.3 million, and caused a hunger crisis.
Biden has recently advocated for ceasefire talks but has continued military support for Israel. Israel’s military actions were a response to an October 7 attack by Hamas militants, who killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources.
A coalition of groups is expected to join the protests, including ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), the women-led peace and human rights group CodePink, Palestinian organisations like the Palestinian American Community Center, and Jewish groups such as Jewish Voice for Peace.
CodePink informed Reuters that organizers had arranged buses to transport human rights advocates from various states to Washington. “We anticipate a large number of demonstrators to show up,” stated the U.S. Capitol Police. “Our plan includes adding more officers including from several outside agencies.”
A flyer encouraged the formation of a “People’s Red Line around the Capitol building” on Wednesday, where protesters will condemn the U.S. government for not setting a “red line” in its support for Israel despite the conflict’s death toll.
Around 230 anonymous Capitol Hill staffers from 122 offices signed a letter last week urging their employers to protest or boycott Netanyahu’s July 24 address to Congress, against whom the International Criminal Court prosecutor’s office recently requested an arrest warrant for alleged war crimes.
U.S. protests since the Gaza conflict began have included marches, vigils, and the blocking of bridges and roads near train stations and airports in multiple cities, as well as encampments on college campuses.
Nancy Mbamalu
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