Introduction
In a dramatic demonstration of political activism, hundreds of Jewish protesters gathered on Capitol Hill on July 23, 2024, to advocate for an arms embargo against Israel. Their rally coincided with the arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, D.C., where he was scheduled to address a joint session of Congress and meet with President Joe Biden. This article provides a detailed account of the protest, exploring the motivations behind it, the participants’ perspectives, and the broader context of the ongoing conflict.
The Protest: An Overview
The Call for an Arms Embargo
The protest was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), a group known for its anti-Zionist stance. Demonstrators, clad in red shirts emblazoned with the message “Jews say stop arming Israel,” gathered in the Cannon Building of the Capitol complex. Their aim was to pressure the U.S. government to halt military aid to Israel, arguing that such support contributes to what they describe as a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Timing and Location
The timing of the protest was strategically chosen to coincide with Netanyahu’s visit to Washington. The demonstration took place a day before Netanyahu’s planned address to Congress and two days before his scheduled meeting with President Biden. This alignment was intended to maximize media attention and political impact. The protest occurred despite heightened security measures, including barricades erected around the Capitol in anticipation of Netanyahu’s visit.
Key Moments from the Protest
The Gathering
Protesters assembled in the Capitol’s rotunda, catching both media and law enforcement by surprise. They unfurled banners with messages such as “No one is free until everyone is free” and “Jews say: Permanent ceasefire now.” The demonstration featured chanting in Hebrew and English, with slogans including “Stop arming Israel now!” and “Free Palestine!” Their calls for an arms embargo and an end to military support for Israel were central themes of the protest.
Arrests and Police Response
As the protest escalated, Capitol police began to encircle the demonstrators. Many protesters were arrested and led out of the building with zip ties. The exact number of arrests was not immediately available, as the police continued their operations during the coverage period. Despite the police presence and arrests, protesters continued to chant and sing as they were removed from the area.
Participants’ Perspectives
The Role of Faith and Activism
The protest drew participants from various backgrounds, including rabbis and activists who have been involved in recent pro-Palestine demonstrations on college campuses. One such activist was Benjamin Kersten, an art history graduate student and Jewish educator. Kersten emphasized his commitment to a faith-based activism that opposes state violence and militarism, drawing inspiration from a history of Jewish solidarity with oppressed peoples.
Statements from Religious Leaders
Rabbi Linda Holtzman from Philadelphia, who leads the Tikkun Olam Chavurah community, expressed strong disapproval of Netanyahu’s visit to Congress. She characterized Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and criticized the structure of Israel as an “apartheid state,” where Jewish people supposedly have more rights than Palestinians. Holtzman’s stance is rooted in her Jewish faith and her belief in the principle of pikuach nefesh, which emphasizes the sanctity of all human life.
Symbolic Demonstrations
Several participants used symbolic gestures to convey their messages. For instance, bespoke talitot—traditional Jewish prayer shawls—were crafted for the protest, adorned with the phrase “never again for anyone” as a nod to the Holocaust. Rabbi Rachel Kipnes, a Reconstructionist rabbi, highlighted the significance of these garments as a means of connecting contemporary activism with historical Jewish suffering.
Broader Context and Implications
Historical Background
The protest is part of a larger pattern of activism by JVP and other groups critical of Israeli policies. This was the second major pro-Palestinian demonstration organized by JVP in the Capitol Building. The group previously staged a protest in October 2023 following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, advocating for a cease-fire and an end to violence.
Recent Protests and Activism
In recent months, JVP and its allies have organized multiple demonstrations, including large-scale protests in cities like New York and Philadelphia. These actions reflect a growing movement within Jewish communities that challenges traditional Zionist narratives and seeks to address what they perceive as injustices against Palestinians.
The Student Protest Movement
The spring of 2024 saw a surge in student-led protests across college campuses nationwide. Activists like Benjamin Kersten played a significant role in these movements, advocating for a more inclusive and justice-oriented interpretation of Jewish teachings. This student activism underscores a broader generational shift in how Jewish identity and political engagement intersect.
Netanyahu’s Upcoming Address and the Political Landscape
The Anticipated Speech
Netanyahu’s address to Congress was anticipated to be a key moment in U.S.-Israeli relations, with implications for ongoing political and military support. The protest highlighted a significant tension between traditional political support for Israel and emerging dissent within Jewish communities regarding U.S. military aid.
Reactions and Future Protests
In response to Netanyahu’s visit and the protest, additional demonstrations were planned for the day of his address. These protests aim to further amplify the call for an arms embargo and challenge the prevailing narratives around U.S. support for Israel.
Conclusion
The protest on Capitol Hill represented a powerful moment of dissent within the Jewish community, highlighting deep divisions over U.S. military support for Israel. As Netanyahu prepared to address Congress and meet with President Biden, the demonstrators’ calls for an arms embargo and an end to the conflict in Gaza reflected broader debates about justice, military aid, and the role of faith in political activism. This event underscored the ongoing complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the evolving landscape of American political engagement with international issues.
