By ANSWER Coalition
Photos: YouTube Screenshots\Wikimedia Commons
July 17, 2024 – Pro-Palestine protesters from across the country will converge in Washington, D.C. on July 24 to surround Congress and demand the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes committed as part of the genocide in Gaza. This national mobilization is expected to draw tens of thousands of participants, coming on buses from as far away as Indiana, Georgia and Michigan. Protesters will issue a notice of a citizens’ arrest.
“July 24th will be remembered as a dark stain on the legacy of the 118th Congress. Inviting a war criminal to speak in our legislative halls while he is committing genocide is a new low for this body. Schools, hospitals, houses of worship, and residential neighborhoods have been leveled by relentless Israeli bombardment. Since the announcement of this speech, we have seen the bombing and killing increase. Congressional leaders have supported this genocide in Gaza in both word and deed. Not only have they excused the atrocities Israel is committing, they have passed billions of dollars in funding to enable them. This has empowered Netanyahu to continue committing these crimes and, by inviting him, Congress is sending a clear message to the American people and the rest of the world, that criminals will be rewarded and red carpets will be rolled out for them,” said Mohamad Habehh, Director of Development at American Muslims for Palestine.
“Netanyahu and the members of Congress he will be addressing are partners in crime,” said Hatem Abu Dayyeh, National Coordinator of USPCN, “Israel’s killing spree in Gaza would not be possible were it not for the constant stream of weapons being provided by the U.S. government. These missiles, bullets and bombs are funded through acts of Congress and delivered by the Biden administration. We are gathering to express our outrage not only with Netanyahu, but also with the U.S. political elite who are indispensable to Israel’s ability to massacre Palestinians.”
Brian Becker, National Director of the ANSWER Coalition, stated that, “The majority of people in this country want a ceasefire. But instead, Netanyahu and his friends in Congress are threatening to expand the war with an invasion of Lebanon. The U.S. corporate media always portrays Israel as the victim, but the reality is that the fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border is a result of the genocide being committed in Gaza. The only way to ensure that a devastating regional war does not break out is for Israel to immediately end its attack on Gaza and withdraw its troops.”
A wide range of grassroots organizations are participating in this action. The number of endorsing organizations has doubled in recent days, reflecting the growing momentum for the action. Initial co-sponsors include: American Muslims for Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, The People’s Forum, ANSWER Coalition, Palestinian Feminist Collective, Arab Resource and Organizing Center, Al-Awda: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition, U.S. Palestinian Community Network, U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, Palestinian American Organizations Network, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Palestinian American Women’s Association, CodePink, Jewish Voice for Peace, Palestinian Assembly for Liberation, and Writers Against the War on Gaza.
