Pro-Palestine marches calling for a cease fire continue on the streets of Los Angeles and other major cities across the country.
Protestors held signs calling for a “Cease-Fire Now” and “Free Palestine” at a recent rally that started in front of the Israeli Consulate Saturday, Jan. 6, which was organized by a Palestinian youth group. They called on the Biden administration to stop using U.S. tax dollars to support Israel. They marched down Wilshire Boulevard toward the Federal Building.
The protestors are fueled by the increased numbers of Palestinian civilians killed each day by Israeli Forces following the attack by Hamas on Southern Israel Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped 240 people, half who have been released in a temporary cease fire agreement in November.
In response, Israel has killed more than 21,8000 Palestinians and wounded more than 56,000 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Associated Press reports this figure does not separate civilians from military.
The United Nations reports the Israel-Hamas war has created a humanitarian crisis with Gaza residents now facing starvation.
At the start of the war, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to turn the region into a parking lot and has now said this war will continue for months. Israeli strikes have continued.
Israel’s bombardments have leveled vast areas of Gaza, displacing 85% of its 2.3 million residents.
The marches in Los Angeles have also received support by activists from Black Lives Matter and members of the Mexican American and indigenous communities, who have pointed to Israel’s occupation and colonization of Palestinians. It’s a history that they have said they understand, referencing “stolen land taken from indigenous people,” and the never honored “Treaty of Guadalupe.”
Protestors calling for an end of U.S. support for Israel’s attack on Gaza received much attention when they disrupted the morning commute on the 110 Freeway last month by actually stopping traffic from moving.
The Israel-Hamas war has created a wider wedge between communities. While the numbers of protestors appear to be growing, many members of the U.S. Jewish community have viewed them to be a demonstration of growing hate and anti-semitism. The Anti-Defamation League reports that post Oct. 7, there have been more than 2,000 anti-semetic incidents reported nationwide including one fatality of a Jewish man reported to have been hit in the head in Los Angeles during a protest.
Organizations including Jews for Peace and others members of the Jewish community have shown support for Palestine. In Washington last weekend, 18 elderly Jewish protestors wore t-shirts that read “not in our name,” and they chained themselves to a fence outside of the White House.