Angry pro-Palestinian protesters storm the White House gates and spray graffiti on nearby buildings as more than 100,000 people rally in support of Israel
Angry pro-Palestinian protesters scaled the White House fence chanting “f*** Joe Biden” as thousands descended on Washington DC to demonstrate against the US government’s support for Israel.
More than 100,000 people flocked to the country’s capital as a day of pro-Palestinian protests broke out around the world, resulting in several disturbing anti-Semitic incidents.
According to footage, graffiti reading “death to Israel” and “glory to our martyrs” was sprayed on buildings near the Israeli embassy shared by the embassy on X.
The protests included a controversial chant: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” as a Hezbollah flag flew among the crowds in a show of support for the terrorist organization.
The massive gathering is the latest demonstration against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, which has killed more than 9,250 people so far, according to the Health Ministry.
Blood-red handprints were taped to the side of the White House fence
Anti-Semitic graffiti reading “death to Israel” and “Glory to our martyrs” was sprayed on buildings in DC ahead of the march
Other graffiti seen in DC include “f*** Israel” and “Gaza is going to win”
Up to 100,000 protesters gathered to demand a ceasefire and an end to US military aid to Israel
Pro-Palestinian supporters packed the streets of Washington DC as further protests were staged around the world
Protesters stretched a banner over the White House fence reading “Stop the Attacks on Gaza,” prompting the Secret Service to take down the sign, sparking anger among the crowd.
Chants of ‘Allahu akbar’ rang out loudly as the protest marched through the city as red handprints were later left on the walls near the presidential residence.
Before reaching the White House, a huge crowd of protesters filled the streets of DC on a route that passed numerous landmarks near the Capitol.
Footage after the protesters moved through showed a number of historic scenes, including the desecration of the statue of American Revolutionary War hero General Marquis de Lafayette with graffiti and Palestinian flags.
“Biden, we will remember in November,” one of the signs on the statue read.
Other notable images that angered protesters included Benjamin Franklin and Andrew Jackson.
Rapper Macklemore made a surprise appearance to rally the pro-Palestinian protesters
On the morning of the protest, Jen Zwilling of the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center emailed members warning that involvement “could increase the likelihood of violence or anti-Semitic rhetoric,” according to the Guardian.
The newspaper added that many Jewish groups advised their memberships against staging counter-protests or joining the march.
Rapper Macklemore made a surprise appearance on stage to hype up the crowd before the march began, although he admitted he may not have been the most “qualified” person to intervene.
“They told me to be quiet, they told me to do my research, to go back, that it’s too complex to say anything, to be silent right now,” said the “Thrift Shop” artist, real name Benjamin Hammond Haggerty.
“Over the last three weeks I’ve gone back and done some research, I can teach… I don’t know everything, but I know enough to know this is a genocide.”
Around the same time the rapper made his comments, dramatic aerial footage showed DC streets filled to the brim with protesters.
Several attendees at the meeting seized on provocative signals, including this one accusing President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of infanticide.
The protest in Washington DC took place at the same time as other protests were taking place in the US and around the world
Protesters gathered at Freedom Plaza on Saturday for the march, which then circled the White House
The significant number of people who reached the country’s capital for Saturday’s demonstrations was amplified by the transportation of pro-Palestinian supporters from across the US on rented buses, according to protest organizers.
Fiery anti-government rhetoric was heard throughout the day’s demonstrations, with many demonstrators accusing the US of enabling war crimes.
One sign showed a photo of Biden with blood-soaked hands and read: “Gaza has become a graveyard for children, killing one every ten minutes.”
Orthodox and other Jews were among those who lent their support to the protest, holding banners reading: “Judaism condemns Zionist terrorism in Gaza.”
“We will come back in millions,” the crowd chanted at one point, as another activist appeared to hold a sign supporting Hamas attacks that read: “Resistance is justified when people are occupied.”
Further protests were also organized in the US and around the world, including in London, New York and Berlin.
President Joe Biden drew the ire of many protesters during the pro-Palestinian march
Amid mounting criticism of his response to the conflict, President Biden called for a “humanitarian pause” so resources can reach innocent civilians trapped in war-torn Gaza.
As he made his statement, Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg heckled the president, declaring, “As a rabbi, I want you to call for a ceasefire right now.”
Biden did not suggest a full ceasefire but supported a pause to allow humanitarian aid and prisoner movement, the White House clarified.
His comments, made in the wake of waning support for the strikes after reports of refugee camps and churches being hit, mark a departure from previous pledges not to dictate Israel’s military policy.