The mass movement in solidarity with Palestine returned to DC in protest of Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress. Presenting a citizen’s warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest, the protesters surrounded Congress, joined by a sizable labor contingent that included the UAW. Jaisal Noor reports from DC.
Production: Jaisal Noor
Post-Production: Jaisal Noor
Transcript
The following is a rushed transcript and may contain errors. A proofread version will be made available as soon as possible.
Speaker 1:
Free, free, free Palestine.
Speaker X:
Free, free, free Palestine.
Eugene Puryear:
And we are here today to raise our voice against the war criminal, Benjamin Netanyahu, who is criminally speaking before a joint session of Congress today. And we did not want to let that moment pass without showing that people here in the United States are overwhelmingly in favor of an immediate ceasefire.
Jaisal Noor:
On Wednesday, July 24th in Washington DC, tens of thousands took to the streets to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s joint address of Congress. Demonstrators called for the U.S. to end military aid to Israel and for Netanyahu’s arrest.
Eugene Puryear:
That’s why we have the phrase behind this demonstration that we’re going to do a citizen’s arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu because ultimately, if the U.S. government isn’t going to step up to the plate, if foreign governments aren’t going to step up to the plate in terms of actually holding this war criminal to account; we the people are at least going to attempt to hold these war criminals to account.
Jaisal Noor:
The International Criminal Court is seeking an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over Israel’s conduct of the war. Over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since Hamas’ October 7th attack. Israel has been charged with genocide by the International Court of Justice, and this week the court affirmed Israel’s occupation of Palestine is illegal.
Daniel Vicente:
The international criminal courts find that genocide is possibly happening, proven to be happening. When we are supporting a government that does not get full rights to certain citizens, we have to speak out. For too long this issue has been going on and I think you can see the tide is staring to-
Jaisal Noor:
Organized labor mobilized a large contingent for the protest.
Parul Koul:
I think it’s a hugely significant moment for organized labor. Earlier on in the genocide, separate unions had signed letters calling for a cease fire. I think it’s really crucial and amazing to point out that the letter that was released yesterday specifically also talks about U.S. ending its funding of Israel and funding arming Israel, which is a crucial step forward. And I feel like it just points to labor starting to take the more broad, bold, independent action from the Democratic Party because I think we’re starting to see the Democratic Party itself doesn’t offer a platform for the Labor Movement or for all people to solve the really crucial problems that we’re all facing right now.
Jaisal Noor:
Dozens of U.S. lawmakers boycotted the speech, including Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now the Democrat’s presumptive presidential nominee after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race.
Daniel Vicente:
Him stepping down was exactly what needed to happen. The numbers we were looking at, at our own [inaudible 00:02:33] and external polling; he didn’t stand a chance in Pennsylvania, especially after the assassination attempt. And he’s still probably going to get crushed at Michigan. Our hope is that Kamala will take a softer approach to the situation and finally put strings on the weapon systems we’re giving because we have the levers to put… I’m not saying we could stop the conflict tomorrow. We could certainly put pressure on the Israeli government to take a different path.
Speaker 1:
Free, free Palestine!
Speaker X:
Free, free Palestine!
Jaisal Noor:
The uncommitted movement welcomed Biden’s departure and urged Harris to change course on Gaza.
Eugene Puryear:
We do know that Vice President Harris will have a private meeting with Netanyahu. The Israeli press is already briefing from U.S. sources that she will reaffirm the U.S. support for the state of Israel. Historically, throughout her career, she’s been a very strong supporter of Israel, of APAC, of the overall Zionist project. But given the electoral circumstances, given the power of this movement, I think we can at least hope that perhaps some space will open and we will see some shift. But we’re not waiting for it nor are we going to let our foot off the gas.
Jaisal Noor:
For The Real News, this is Jaisal Noor reporting from Washington D.C.
Chabane:
If we don’t extradite this war criminal or alleged war criminal, to the crimes tribunal, then what was the point of international law? Why did we sign this document? So I’m reminding our elected officials that we’re part of the United Nations, aren’t we? And the ICC is cooking and we are accomplices. So if we are abetting this alleged war criminal, then that makes us accountable too, right?
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