Relatives recount Gaza deaths as protesters in Washington, London demand ceasefire

WASHINGTON – Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters marched in Washington, London and elsewhere on Jan 13 as part of a “global day of action” to demand an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza fighting and to oppose

United States and British support for Israel.

In Washington, large crowds waved Palestinian flags as the mostly young protesters – many wearing the traditional keffiyeh – gathered in a show of solidarity on the 99th day of the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

“Ceasefire now,” people chanted, while carrying banners and posters that read “Free Palestine” and “End the War on Gaza”. Some people chanted, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” – a slogan that critics interpret as a call for the elimination of Israel.

On a stage a few blocks from the White House, several Palestinian-Americans – originally from Gaza, but now living in US states from Michigan to Texas – offered emotional accounts of friends and relatives killed or wounded in Gaza.

They exhorted US President Joe Biden to end military and financial support for Israel.

Mr Adam Abosherieah, one of the speakers, said over 100 family members, including his 83-year-old father, mother and brother, have been killed in Israeli air strikes. Reuters could not independently verify these figures.

“Dozens of my family members’ bodies are still under the rubble,” said Mr Abosherieah, a pharmacist from New Jersey. “President Biden can easily put a stop to this genocide… He can easily pick up the phone and call Israel to stop this madness.”

Though he has long been a fervent supporter of Israel, Mr Biden has expressed concern over civilian deaths as the war has gone on.

He has previously described Israel’s bombing campaign as “indiscriminate”, and said on Jan 8 that he had been working “quietly” with the Israeli government to encourage it to reduce its attacks and “significantly get out of Gaza”.

London, in the meantime, saw its seventh pro-Palestinian demonstration since Oct 7. On that day, Hamas militants invaded southern Israel and killed around 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Israel vowed to destroy Hamas and launched a relentless bombardment of Gaza that has killed nearly 24,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest toll from the territory’s health ministry.

Around 1,700 police were on duty on Jan 13 to ensure security for the London protest.

“We want to show the people of Palestine we are with them, and to speak up against our government as well,” 27-year-old health service worker Maleeha Ahmed, who was at the march with her family, told AFP.

“They are playing a very, very big role in allowing Israel to continue what they are doing, and it’s just not acceptable,” she said.

Another marcher, Mr Dipesh Kothar, 37, said it was “very frustrating to sit and watch the world do nothing”.

“That’s why we come out to show support for the Palestinian people and show our unhappiness with the governments around the world,” he said.

The Jan 13 marches held particular significance given US and British air strikes in Yemen this week against Houthi bases, after the Iran-backed militants attacked ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Gaza.

The day of action, called by a British organising coalition, involved protests in 30 countries.

Ms Kate Hudson of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, which is part of the coalition, said the event was “to demand a permanent ceasefire and a lasting political settlement for all Palestinians”.

She said the British government “must end its support for Israel’s brutal war in Gaza, and join the wider international community in condemning its war crimes”.

Israel and the US deny allegations of a genocide in Gaza.

South Africa has officially pressed those charges against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Washington and Israel have argued that a ceasefire will benefit Hamas and have resisted such calls. AFP, REUTERS