The Crossbill News Desk
An estimated 30,000 pro-Palestinian protesters, in Washington converged around the White House on Saturday (June 9), urging President Joe Biden to stop all military aid to Israel and calling for an immediate cease-fire in Israel’s war in Gaza.
The protesters dressed in keffiyehs and red clothes to symbolize what they say is a red line that Israel crossed and bearing Palestinian flags, marched around the block of parkland around the White House.
The protesters held a red banner that stretched around the White House, urging President Biden to change his approach to the war in Gaza.
Slogans of “Biden, Biden you can’t hide, we are your red line,” were heard according to NBC News.
As the protests went on, Biden was not at the White House, but in France, where he joined President Emmanuel Macron for a state dinner in Paris on Saturday night.
However, despite his absence, the dissenting voices in the American capital highlighted the challenges Biden faces domestically as he tries to carve out a narrow position that both supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas and calls for a quick cessation of hostilities.
An activist from the Palestinian Youth Movement, named Issa told NBC News, “The intention is to draw a red line where Biden won’t draw one when it comes to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and say we as the people are drawing the red line today to say enough is enough.”
“It’s time for an arms embargo, and it’s time to end this,” the activist added.
One of the pickets frequently used by the protesters read, “Biden’s red line was a lie!”
The Biden administration had recently made a statement after Israeli air strikes killed dozens of Palestinians in the Gazan city of Rafah, stating that it did not amount to Biden’s red line for Israel.
Israel launched the attack on Rafah late Sunday (May 26), hours after Hamas unleashed a barrage of rockets at the Tel Aviv area, most of which were intercepted.
Israeli forces pressed their assault on the border town - once seen as the territory's last refuge - despite a prior order from the top UN court to halt its operation there.
When the White House spokesman, John Kirby during a press conference, was asked whether the strike had violated the limits previously set by President Biden, he said he had "no policy changes to speak to."
Kirby said the Biden administration did not believe Israel’s actions in Rafah so far represented a “major ground operation” that would violate President Joe Biden’s warnings and trigger a change in U.S. policy, including a threatened halt to weapons shipments.
The protesters dressed in keffiyehs and red clothes to symbolize what they say is a red line that Israel crossed and bearing Palestinian flags, marched around the block of parkland around the White House.
The protesters held a red banner that stretched around the White House, urging President Biden to change his approach to the war in Gaza.
#HAPPENINGNOW The White House is now COMPLETELY SURROUNDED by red banner as Palestine Protesters declare their "red line."
— Oliya Scootercaster ???? (@ScooterCasterNY) June 8, 2024
This is the moment the two ends of the red line met on the south west corner of the White House complex. pic.twitter.com/TJrmPLRY9U
Slogans of “Biden, Biden you can’t hide, we are your red line,” were heard according to NBC News.
As the protests went on, Biden was not at the White House, but in France, where he joined President Emmanuel Macron for a state dinner in Paris on Saturday night.
However, despite his absence, the dissenting voices in the American capital highlighted the challenges Biden faces domestically as he tries to carve out a narrow position that both supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas and calls for a quick cessation of hostilities.
An activist from the Palestinian Youth Movement, named Issa told NBC News, “The intention is to draw a red line where Biden won’t draw one when it comes to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and say we as the people are drawing the red line today to say enough is enough.”
“It’s time for an arms embargo, and it’s time to end this,” the activist added.
One of the pickets frequently used by the protesters read, “Biden’s red line was a lie!”
The Biden administration had recently made a statement after Israeli air strikes killed dozens of Palestinians in the Gazan city of Rafah, stating that it did not amount to Biden’s red line for Israel.
Israel launched the attack on Rafah late Sunday (May 26), hours after Hamas unleashed a barrage of rockets at the Tel Aviv area, most of which were intercepted.
Israeli forces pressed their assault on the border town - once seen as the territory's last refuge - despite a prior order from the top UN court to halt its operation there.
When the White House spokesman, John Kirby during a press conference, was asked whether the strike had violated the limits previously set by President Biden, he said he had "no policy changes to speak to."
Kirby said the Biden administration did not believe Israel’s actions in Rafah so far represented a “major ground operation” that would violate President Joe Biden’s warnings and trigger a change in U.S. policy, including a threatened halt to weapons shipments.
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