Pro-Palestinian Protesters Rally Outside White House
Facts
- Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters rallied outside the White House on Saturday to demand an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the halt of all America's military aid to Israel.1
- Demonstrators unfurled a two-mile-long red banner listing the names of Palestinians who have died since Oct. 7, 2023 —a reference to the 'red line' that they claim Biden let Israel cross during its Rafah offensive.2
- Previously, the Biden administration had said that an airstrike that killed at least 45 people and injured hundreds more in Rafah last month didn't violate any red line that would force the US to change its policy.3
- According to multiple videos posted online, attendees at the protest in Washington, DC, vandalized statues and set off smoke bombs near the White House.4
- In response to the protests, the White House said that every American has the right to express their opinions, but that endorsing 'murderous terrorist organizations like Hamas' was unacceptable.5
- The Biden administration is currently waiting for an official response from Hamas regarding the latest hostage deal and cease-fire proposal to end the conflict, which has entered its ninth month.6
Sources: 1New York Times, 2New York Post, 3Guardian, 4Daily Caller, 5FOX News and 6Voice of America.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Washington Post. Nobody except the Hamas leadership wants this horrific conflict to go on any longer, as even the Israeli war cabinet has endorsed a recently announced comprehensive peace plan for Gaza. Instead of pointing fingers at Biden and Israel, those calling for a cease-fire in the enclave should be putting pressure on Hamas by now.
- Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Guardian. The Biden administration has been complicit in the Israeli genocidal campaign in Gaza. Even if claims that Hamas officials were present in Rafah are valid, knowingly committing unspeakable atrocities crosses any red lines. This war has gone on for far too long, and Israel must be held accountable for its brutal crimes.