Over 200 Palestinians were killed by the Israel Defense Forces in the Gaza Strip during a rescue operation for hostages taken by Hamas. Anti-war protesters gathered at the White House, challenging President Joe Biden’s empty threats to end support for Israel’s military campaign. Biden’s red line, set at an attack on Rafah, was crossed without consequences, leading to widespread criticism. Students for Justice in Palestine and other activists protested against the ongoing genocide in Gaza, demanding an end to the violence and a just peace in the Middle East.
Participants, disillusioned with the Biden administration’s stance on Palestine, expressed their dissatisfaction by withholding votes in upcoming elections. Organizations like Bend the Arc: Jewish Action and the NAACP warned that support for Israel’s war could cost Biden politically. The protests highlighted the need for accountability for war crimes and an end to the cycle of violence in Gaza, while also drawing attention to the impact of US policies on global conflicts.