Pro-Palestinian protesters vandalized the White House fence on Saturday night, expressing their discontent with the Biden administration’s support for Israel in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The incident, as reported by the New York Post, involved red paint being splattered on the fence while demonstrators chanted, including some vulgar language directed at President Joe Biden. The situation escalated as some protesters attempted to climb the wrought-iron gates of the White House.
In addition to defacing the White House fence, the demonstrators targeted the General Marquis de Lafayette Statue in nearby Lafayette Park, adorning it with graffiti and Palestinian flags. The protesters’ actions reflect their strong opposition to the U.S. government’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The protests were organized against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began on October 7. The war has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Thousands of lives have been lost, intensifying international concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
During the demonstration, some protesters chanted slogans such as “Free, free Palestine,” while waving Palestinian flags. Others voiced the phrase “Allahu akbar” and called for an immediate ceasefire. These chants underscore the demonstrators’ demand for an end to the violence and a resolution to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The U.S. Secret Service reported that the situation was managed without any major incidents. Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the Secret Service, stated that demonstrators were dispersing from the area, and an earlier attempt to breach the White House gate was resolved peacefully. No arrests were made by Secret Service personnel.
BREAKING: Pro-Palestine protesters appear to be threatening to storm through the White House fences and are threatening Secret Service agents.
Multiple video angles show hundreds of angry protesters up against the White House fence.
They also threw red paint on the fence as… pic.twitter.com/zt3092X79x
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 5, 2023
Several protesters participating in the demonstration expressed their desire for their voices to be heard and for a change in the global perception of the conflict. Manar Ghanayem, one of the demonstrators, emphasized the importance of upholding basic human rights and condemned the violence that has affected children and innocent civilians in the region.
NEW: United States monuments in Washington D.C. have been vandalized by pro-Palestine thugs as rioters rage against President Biden’s support of Israel.
The monuments include:
Andrew Jackson statue in front of the White House.
The General Marquis de Lafayette Statue in… pic.twitter.com/bfvJvRnnLK
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 5, 2023
Ron Halber, Executive Director for the Jewish Community Relations Group, offered a contrasting perspective, asserting that the protesters were misguided and supporting a terrorist organization. He argued that Hamas, which initiated the conflict, had engaged in acts of violence against Israelis and taken civilians hostage, including Americans.
Halber stated that the demonstrators “are wholeheartedly supporting a homicidal terrorist organization that slaughtered 1,400 Israelis in cold blood and has taken numerous civilians hostage including from our own country. They are just incredibly misguided, uninformed and reactionary, and history will judge they have put themselves on the side of supporting terrorists versus a democracy trying to defend itself.”
