Angry pro-Palestine protesters climbed the White House fence and chanted “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 pro-Palestinian protests erupted around the world, leading to several disturbing anti-Semitic incidents.
According to the images, graffiti reading “Death to Israel” and “Glory to our martyrs” was sprayed on buildings near the Israeli embassy shared by the embassy on X.
During the protests, the controversial chant of “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” was heard while crowds waved a Hezbollah flag, showing their support for the terrorist organization.
The mass gathering is the latest demonstration against the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, which has so far killed more than 9,250 people, according to the state’s health ministry.
Blood-red handprints could be seen on the side of the White House fence
Before the march, anti-Semitic graffiti reading “Death to Israel” and “Glory to our martyrs” was sprayed on buildings in Washington, DC
Other pieces of graffiti seen in DC read “f*** Israel” and “Gaza will win”
Up to 100,000 demonstrators gathered to demand a ceasefire and an end to US military aid to Israel
Pro-Palestine supporters flooded the streets of Washington DC to capacity, with other protests organized around the world
Protesters stretched a banner over the White House fence that read “Stop attacks on Gaza,” and the Secret Service tore down the sign, sparking anger from the crowd.
Chants of “Allahu Akbar” erupted loudly as the protest marched through the city, while red handprints were later seen on walls near the presidential residence.
Before reaching the White House, a huge crowd of protesters filled the streets of D.C. on a route that passed numerous landmarks near the Capitol.
Images after the protesters marched through showed a number of historic statues, 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,” read one of the signs on the sculpture.
Other notable statues that drew the ire of protesters included Benjamin Franklin and Andrew Jackson.
NEW: United States monuments in Washington DC vandalized by pro-Palestine thugs as rioters raged against President Biden’s support of Israel.
The monuments include:
Andrew Jackson statue in front of the White House.
The statue of General Marquis de Lafayette in… pic.twitter.com/bfvJvRnnLK
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 5, 2023
Rapper Macklemore made a surprise appearance to mobilize pro-Palestinian demonstrators
On the morning of the protest, Jen Zwilling of the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center sent an email to members warning that engagement “could increase the potential for violence or anti-Semitic rhetoric,” according to the Guardian.
The media added that many Jewish groups had discouraged their members from engaging in counter-protests or taking part in the march.
Rapper Macklemore made a surprise appearance on stage to cheer on the crowd before the march began, although he admitted he might not be the “most qualified” person to take part.
“They told me to be quiet, they told me to do my research, to go back, that it was too complex to say something, to stay silent in this moment,” said the “Thrift Shop” artist, who co-stars Real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty.
“In the last three weeks I’ve gone back and done some research, I’m teachable… I don’t know everything, but I know enough to know that this is a genocide.”
Around the same time the rapper delivered his remarks, dramatic aerial images showed the streets of D.C. filled to the brim with protesters.
Several participants at the rally held provocative signs, including this one accusing President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of child murder
The protest in Washington DC took place at the same time as others were taking place across the US and around the world
Demonstrators gathered at Freedom Plaza on Saturday for the march that then circled the White House
According to protest organizers, the significant number of people arriving in the nation’s capital for Saturday’s demonstrations was bolstered by transporting pro-Palestinian supporters on rented buses from across the United States.
The day’s demonstrations featured strong anti-government rhetoric, with many protesters accusing the US of enabling war crimes.
One poster featured a picture of Biden with blood-soaked hands and read: “Gaza has become a cemetery for children, where one is killed every ten minutes.”
Orthodox and other Jews were among those who supported the protest, carrying banners reading “Judaism condemns Zionist terrorism in Gaza.”
“We are coming back by the millions,” the crowd chanted at one point, as another activist held a sign that read: “Resistance is justified when people are occupied.”
Other protests were also organized in the United States and around the world, including in London, New York and Berlin.
President Joe Biden drew the ire of many protesters at the pro-Palestine march
Amid mounting criticism of his response to the conflict, President Biden called for a “humanitarian pause” to allow resources to reach innocent civilians trapped in war-torn Gaza.
As he made his statement, Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg insulted the president and declared, “As a rabbi, I must call for a ceasefire immediately.”
The White House clarified that Biden was not proposing a full ceasefire, but favored a pause to allow humanitarian aid and the transport of prisoners.
His comments, made as support for the attacks waned following reports of attacks on refugee camps and churches, mark a departure from previous pledges not to dictate Israel’s military policy.