Hundreds of American Jews gathered to stage a protest within the halls of the United States Congress on Wednesday. The central demand of their demonstration was an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, where conflict had been ongoing.
The protest was organized by the Jewish Voice for Peace, an organization that describes itself as comprising “Jews organizing toward Palestinian liberation and Judaism beyond Zionism.” Notably, more than a dozen rabbis were among the participants in the demonstration, underlining the diverse and widespread support for their cause.
The message from the Jewish Voice for Peace was clear, emphasizing the urgency of a ceasefire. They contended that a ceasefire was not just a crucial step but also the very first step required to halt what they referred to as an “ongoing genocide” perpetrated by the Israeli military. This genocide was affecting the lives of over 2 million Palestinians who were trapped in besieged Gaza, unable to leave the area.
The protesters sought to draw attention to the dire situation in Gaza, where violence and suffering had persisted. Their actions in the corridors of Congress were intended to make their voices heard and to advocate for immediate measures to stop the ongoing conflict, with the hope of alleviating the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza.
HAPPENING NOW: Hundreds of American Jews are holding a sit-in at Congress — and we won’t leave until Congress calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. As thousands of U.S. Jews protest outside, over 350 are inside, including two dozen rabbis, holding prayerful resistance. pic.twitter.com/H0b2ort6fa
— Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive) October 18, 2023