US: Hundreds Rally Outside Capitol Demanding Arms Embargo on Israel

WASHINGTON: Hundreds of people rallied outside the US Capitol demanding an arms embargo on Israel. Marking three years since Israel’s military assault on Gaza began, demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and carried large signs condemning what they called genocide in Gaza and Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. Some signs highlighted the economic cost of US wars, linking military spending to higher prices and lower wages at home.
The rally and march were organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement and other pro-Palestinian groups, who urged renewed pressure on Washington over its military and diplomatic support for Israel. Nohad Akkar of the Palestinian Youth Movement told Anadolu that protesters are determined to hold elected officials accountable for US military aid to Israel. “We will not let this genocide become normalized,” she said. Akkar also urged public institutions to divest from weapons makers supplying Israel, saying her group is campaigning for Virginia’s state retirement system, home to many of Washington’s federal workers, to pull more than $394 million in pension investments from such companies.
Isabella Javidan of the National Iranian American Council linked Israel’s assault on Gaza to military actions in Lebanon and Iran, accusing US lawmakers and defense contractors of fueling violence in the region. She said these are not isolated tragedies but expressions of the same imperial project, and that lawmakers must recognize that decisions on arms transfers, military funding and sanctions have consequences for civilians.
Among the protesters, Eric W., a Jewish American, told Anadolu he opposes politicians who cite the safety of Jewish Americans to justify arming Israel. He said arming Israel does not combat antisemitism, and his sign read “No genocide in our name.” He called for an immediate arms embargo. The march was to be followed by a discussion with Palestinian political figure Mustafa Barghouti and author Jehad Abusalim.
The protest came weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, after which Congress members will have to vote on approving any military aid to Israel. The elections come amid growing public disapproval in the US of Israel’s actions.