WASHINGTON, USA: Thousands of protesters gathered near the White House on Saturday to express their outrage over US President Joe Biden’s response to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza.
As the conflict enters its ninth month, protesters shouted, “From DC to Palestine, we are the red line,” while holding a large banner with the names of Palestinians dead.
Biden has faced mounting criticism for what many see as a lenient approach toward Israel’s actions. The White House previously stated that an Israeli strike on Rafah did not cross the “red line” Biden had mentioned earlier, which has led to increased frustration among those opposing the conflict.
Protester Zaid Mahdawi, a 25-year-old from Virginia, voiced his disillusionment. “This ‘red line’ rhetoric is meaningless… it shows his hypocrisy and cowardice,” Mahdawi said, emphasizing his disappointment with Biden’s statements.
Tala McKinney, also 25 and a nursing assistant, added, “We all hope this will end soon, but our president is not living up to his promises. It’s outrageous.”
The rally saw participants dressed in red, holding Palestinian flags and signs that read “Biden’s red line was a lie” and “Bombing children is not self-defense.” Security was heightened around the White House, with additional fencing installed in anticipation of the demonstration.
With the 2024 election on the horizon, Biden is under pressure to maintain support from key voter groups, including Muslims and young people. McKinney highlighted the discontent among these voters, stating, “It’s very disappointing to have a president who doesn’t follow through with his word. I will be voting for a third party.”
The protesters’ message was clear: they demand a stronger and more principled stance from the US government regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
