Thousands rally across US cities demanding end of support to Israel

WASHINGTON: Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched through Washington in one of the biggest demonstrations in the US since Israel began its bombardment of Gaza, stepping up pressure on President Joe Biden to end support of the Jewish state.

Similar protests were also held in cities across the United States (US) that denounced Israel and called on the Biden administration to pressure Israel to stop its genocide of Palestinian people, according to US media reports.

In Washington, raising slogans such as ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,’ and donning black and white keffiyehs while holding Palestinian flags, the protesters, predominantly young individuals, gathered on the street leading to the White House.

The protesters also splashed red paint at the gates of the White House, symbolising the blood of Palestinians being ruthlessly killed and besieged Gaza, and attempted to scale the fence around the president’s residence early Sunday morning, according to footage shared from the scene.

Protesters also placed Palestinian flags and signs on monuments around the city.

Organisers representing or endorsed by dozens of pro-Palestinian groups directed marchers to Freedom Plaza in the nation’s capital before looping past the White House.

“Now is the time to stand with the besieged people of Palestine! Gaza is being bombed by the hour. Its people are denied food, water and electricity by Israel. Tens of thousands more people are likely to die. We must ACT!” the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (Answer) coalition said on its website.

The march, alongside protests in New York, Seattle and other US cities, was part of an intensifying push to demand both a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict and an end to US and western military aid to Israel.

Demonstrations in support of Palestine were also staged in London, Berlin, Paris, Ankara and Istanbul with a similar message for both Israel and supportive Western governments.

Meanwhile, US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib criticized President Biden, saying he “supported the genocide of the Palestinian people” over his administration’s support for Israel.

Israeli air strikes have killed more than 9,500 Palestinian people, including over 3,800 children.

Humanitarian organisations have described a dire situation in Gaza, where over a million people have been displaced and most are running out of food, water and medical supplies.

Israeli air strikes leveled entire neighbourhoods, and Israel cut off all communication in the last week for hours.

Gaza is still without fuel deliveries due to an Israeli blockade, which United Nations leaders have warned will likely lead to an end of aid deliveries and result in the territory completely going without power, including at critical hospitals.