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Some 3,000 protesters and activists marched from the State Department across Constitution Avenue and down to Chinatown to voice their disapproval of Israel's bombardment of Gaza, a campaign now into its fifth day. NBC4 reports that activists — organized by the D.C.–based Act Now to Stop War & End Racism Coalition — chanted "Stop U.S. Aid to Israel" and "Free, free Palestine!"
Just over a year ago, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice organized a Middle East peace conference close to home. The November 2007 Annapolis Conference brought together Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and President George W. Bush — in addition to some 40 delegates from the Arab League, the United Nations, China, and Russia — to nail down a road map to peace between Israel and Palestine for 2008.
By summer 2008, those parties were at the very least still talking about peace. In a May article in the Israel daily Ha'aretz, Prime Minister Olmert signaled that he hoped that Israel would not need to "act against Hamas in other ways with military power that Israel hasn't yet started to use in a serious manner."
Today, Israel rejected a 48-hour truce and signaled that Israeli air and naval power would continue with the destruction of Gaza. With at least 370 Palestinians dead, dozens of rockets and mortar shells launched by Hamas into Israel, and Israeli officials declaring "all-out war" on Hamas in Gaza, the Annapolis Conference feels like a meetup from a different era.
Flickr user Bullneck uploaded photos from the march, which DCist has reproduced here.
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I was wondering when DCist would publish an article about the protests. I saw the protestors marching down Penn Ave when I left work yesterday evening at around 6pm. Seemed to be quite a large crowd.
On a more political note, did anyone else note the timing of the airstrikes? That is, the fact that this 'retaliation' occured at a time when the U.S. is basically without a President (Bush is obviously already on vacation). What do you all think of that?
Let the flame war commence!
If you're wondering about the timing, a cease fire deal was signed between the two sides on June 19, lasting six months long. Thus, the deal was up on December 19, and thence the shit went down.
Timing is indeed the issue. Another reason this timing was selected is the end of the ceasefire (if you could really call it that) and even more significant: the upcoming elections in Israel. This is showtime for Livni, Bibi and most of all Ehud Barak, who is trying to gain support with this very brutal move.
I can't believe Israelis have such short memory and lack of ability to learn from their mistakes. Ehud Barak proved his poor leadership skills back in his first round as a PM. And have they learned nothing from the summer of 2006? From Bush’s “war against terror”? The mighty and wealthy US military can’t take down the Taliban militants in the mountains of Afghanistan, so let’s get real here. Strengthen the moderate Palestinian leadership, remove the sanctions and closures, and help restore normal social order in Gaza and the West Bank. Two states solution is inevitable, so why don’t we just spare some lives on our way there? Airstrikes will not eliminate Hamas. All they do is cause further terror and misery to the already miserable, impoverished, terrorized population. No good will come out of this.
I can’t believe Palestinians are so blipping nearsighted, so incapable of seeing who is really responsible for their misery. Hamas leaders are in Syria, unharmed, cashing in (in terms of public support) on the horrific pictures coming out of Gaza. An organization that has one and one goal only, the total annihilation of another (far, far stronger) state, will lead them to nothing but more misery. It’s time to let go of those 1948 dreams. Yes, your grandfather might have a key to a house he once lived here, where now an Israeli town stands, but that house is gone now. Living in the past is pointless. It didn’t work for you for the past 40 years; perhaps it’s time to move on. Look ahead, kick out the terrorists you call leaders and vote for moderate leaders, those that are interested in economic and social growth, not those who spend their scarce resources on bombs and rockets directed against your neighbors.
When will both sides see enough blood and death to say “enough is enough!” to their leaders? Wake up!
You just about nailed it on the head.
You just about nailed it on the head.
"The mighty and wealthy US military can’t take down the Taliban militants in the mountains of Afghanistan."
We can if we really want to!
Wow, I think I just agreed with pretty much everything you said. ;)
Isn't ANSWER those douchebags that routinely put up their fliers on every lamppost and other available surface, then refuse to come back and clean them up after their cause du jour?
Funny how it's all about responsibility and respect for others until it comes to their own (admittedly minor) behavior.
I'm sure I agree with some of their protest platforms, but they seem mostly like 20-something sheltered little douchebags that think 'work is the enemy'. Hence, their penchant for street protests for pretty much any cause.
Msdingdong, you took the words right out of my mouth.
Hillman, you are correct.
A.N.S.W.E.R. was founded by the International Action Center, a Communist group connected to the Workers World Party. The IAC was founded by Ramsey Clark, the lawyer who defended Saddam Hussein and Slobodan Milosevic.
Check out the "Issues" section on their website. Start with the section on Korea and soak up their propaganda about US/South Korean forces being evil during the War. I know some conservatives use the "Commie" label when describing liberals or socialists, but in this case the label is very accurate.
While I'm opposed to US military action around the globe (unless our country is in actual danger of being attacked) because of my "evil" libertarian beliefs, I never want to be lumped in with that kind of anti-war (yet, pro-Stalin) crowd.
I wonder if this guy was there.
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/024131.php
Jihad watch, haha, what an idiot that guy is.
He once had an entry mentioning a friend of mine--because he the gall to mention Israel and Palestine on his livejournal. I don't even think he said anything really controversial, either.
kriston: where are the tags on your stories?
Heh... some of those ANSWER types still hold a May Day rally in DC. And they actually hold up pictures of Stalin.
As for Jihadwatch... what a collection of douches, between him and his commenters.
So when is the protest march against the Palestinian practice of sending suicide bombers onto busses? Oh wait...