Hundreds gather in Washington's Israeli embassy in solidarity with Palestinians
19 May, 2021
A huge selection of protesters gathered before the Israeli embassy in Washington on Tuesday found in solidarity with the Palestinians' nationwide strike.
The primarily Arab and Palestinian-led demonstration attracted protesters from all ages and backgrounds.
For the long-time activists there, the solidarity displayed by non-Palestinians was a refreshing change.
“Seeing this also causes me cry tears of pain relief because, to see a lot more than just Palestinians, a lot more than just Muslims, a lot more than just Arabs value Palestine delivers me ... faith in humanity,” said Mariam Abou-Ghazala, an activist of Palestinian and Syrian descent who led the crowd in a spherical of chants.
Ms Abou-Ghazala spoke to The National soon after an instant of silence and a good reading of a number of the names of civilians killed by Israeli air flow strikes in Gaza in the last week.
“I’m very psychological today," she said. "Each and every time I turn out, I regain expectation in humanity, I regain faith in the people behind me.”
There were many moments of raw emotion at the demonstration.
Among chants in Arabic and English of “Save Sheikh Jarrah”, and “Gaza Gaza don’t you fear, we are here, we are here”, organisers read poetry about Palestinians returning to their homeland and verses from the Quran.
Solidarity protests, generally organised by the Palestinain Youth Activity and different grassroots organisations, occurred across the US in cities including San Diego, Houston and Cleveland.
The general strike employs Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said his military had “thousands more attack targets”.
Gaza Wellness Ministry officials say 213 people have been killed so far, including a large number of civilians, as the Israeli bombardment shows no sign of letting up.
At least 12 persons in Israel have already been killed by Hamas rocket fire.
US President Joe Biden expressed support for a good ceasefire in a call with Israeli Primary Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week.
The US provided the Israeli military with about $3.8 billion in assist in 2020, the Congressional Research Service says.
But even with some people corners of his Democratic get together calling for more US condemnation of what rights groupings have described as apartheid in Israel, and for extra transparency in US aid to Israel, the White House has been slower to criticise its historic ally.
For Ms Abou-Ghazala, desire comes from what she sees as increased grass-roots support.
“I’ve never, ever seen, scrolling straight down my feed, so various people caring about Palestine," she said.
"So I believe it’s the solidarity and alliance of [communities like] our black brothers and sisters, Central American siblings, and again most of the several backgrounds, that's what’s going to push for change.”
Source: www.thenationalnews.com
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