On Saturday, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protestors rallied outside US President Joe Biden’s residence in Delaware to express their opposition to US support for Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip. The protestors held Palestinian flags and chanted slogans such as “ceasefire now” and “President Biden, you can’t hide! We charge you with genocide!” This protest coincided with President Biden’s speech at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day.
The Biden administration has been facing strong criticism for its stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Numerous pro-Palestinian demonstrations have taken place near the White House, with one entrance near the West Wing covered with blood-red handprints and graffiti reading ‘Genocide Joe.’ Despite the White House’s efforts to negotiate temporary daily pauses in the fighting to allow civilians to evacuate Gaza, President Biden has continued to voice full support for Israel’s right to defend itself. He has made it clear that there is no possibility of a full-scale ceasefire until Hamas is destroyed.
The Israel-Hamas conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with the densely-populated Gaza enclave being subjected to an unprecedented military bombardment by Israel. Israeli officials revised their prior estimate and reported that about 1,200 citizens, mostly civilians, died in the attack. On the other side, Palestinian health officials have reported that over 11,000 people have died in more than four weeks of artillery and airstrikes in Gaza, with approximately 40% of the casualties being children. Aid organizations are warning of an impending humanitarian catastrophe as supplies dwindle and the healthcare system becomes overburdened by a large number of wounded people in need of treatment.
The protest outside of President Biden’s residence in Delaware highlights the growing opposition to US foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly its support for Israel during the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Pro-Palestinian activists are making a strong statement against what they view as unwavering support for Israel’s actions, which they believe is contributing to the loss of civilian lives and further destabilization of the region.
The expressions of discontent and anger from the demonstrators show that there is a deep divide in American society regarding the approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict. As the protest gains momentum and garners attention, it places increasing pressure on the Biden administration to reconsider its position and take a more assertive stance in advocating for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and the protection of civilian lives, regardless of regional allies.
The unrest and violence in the Gaza Strip have seen an outpouring of global concern, with calls for immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire. The international community is closely watching the situation, and with continued protests in the US as well as other parts of the world, the pressure is mounting on world leaders to address the crisis and work towards a lasting and peaceful resolution.
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