– Zaina Aman
In a noteworthy show of dissent, hundreds of Jewish activists descended upon Washington D.C. on July 23, a day ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s anticipated address to Congress. Organized by the advocacy group, Jewish Voice for Peace, the demonstrators clad in striking red T-shirts emblazoned with messages such as “not in our name” and “Jews say stop arming Israel” voiced fervent demands for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo on Israel.
The protest, marked by banners proclaiming “ceasefire now” and “let Gaza live,” underscored a collective outcry against the ongoing violence that has ravaged Gaza for the past nine months. Police presence was notable as approximately 300 protesters were arrested during the demonstration, which resonated with chants echoing pro-Palestine sentiments.
Netanyahu’s impending congressional speech coincided with heightened scrutiny, including an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant hanging over him. Against this backdrop, Jewish Voice for Peace conveyed via social media, “For the past 9 months, we’ve witnessed countless horrors in Gaza, committed in our names and funded by our government.”
The gathering served as a poignant reminder of divergent perspectives within the Jewish community regarding U.S. policy towards Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, amplifying calls for policy changes and humanitarian intervention to alleviate the suffering in the region.
