49 arrested at White House protest calling for Israel-Hamas cease-fire
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U.S. Secret Service officers arrest protesters as a group of Jewish activists calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas stage a demonstration near the White House on Monday. Photo: Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images
Dozens of Jewish demonstrators calling for President Biden to press for an Israel-Hamas war cease-fire were arrested outside the White House on Monday.
Driving the news: USSS officers arrested 49 protesters at the demonstration for allegedly crossing safety barriers or blocking entrances during the demonstration at the White House complex, per a statement from Special Agent Steve Kopek, an agency spokesperson, on Monday night.
- Officers arrested 33 people on suspicion of unlawful entry and another 16 for allegedly incommoding, he said.
The big picture: The protest comes as Biden prepares to visit Tel Aviv on Wednesday in a show of support for Israel as its forces ready for a ground offensive in Gaza.
- The anti-war Jewish groups plan more protests this week against the war.
What they're saying: IfNotNow, which organized the protest with Jewish Voice for Peace, said in a statement during the protest: "American Jews and allies have now blocked 4+ doors to the White House. We're prepared to put our bodies in the way of more slaughter — we're ready to stay here until Biden forces a ceasefire."
- Jewish Voice for Peace shared a video online of author and social activist Naomi Klein calling for others to join her at the groups' D.C. rally on Wednesday, with the comment: "Naomi and all of us are all in to do everything we can to prevent genocide in Gaza."
Go deeper: In claiming neutrality, China picks a side in Israel-Hamas war
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Jewish Voice for Peace and further context.
