SIers Travel to D.C. Capitol to Obstruct Visit of War Criminal

Staten Islanders journeyed to Washington D.C. on Wednesday, July 24th in righteous indignation at Benjamin Netanyahu's speech before a joint session of Congress. They joined tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian activists and organizers in shutting down the streets of D.C. to make it clear that people of conscience are the red line against genocide, and to issue a notice of a citizen’s arrest upon Netanyahu.

"There are times when I have to bear witness to what I know is deeply wrong. Seeing the Congress invite Netanyahu to speak, basically condoning the Gaza Genocide was one of those moments for me," shared Sally Jones, a member of Peace Action Staten Island.

The Israeli Prime Minister was invited by leaders of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives from both the Republican and Democratic Parties. The May 31st letter, which included the signature of New York's senior Senator Charles Schumer, invited Netanyahu "to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combating terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region." The invitation to Netanyahu came just eleven days after the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) initiated an application for arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, and Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defense of Israel.

On the eve of Netanyahu’s address, seven national unions representing 6 million workers in the United States, issued a call on the President to end all military aid to Israel. The letter signed by unions representing the Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA), Postal Workers (APWU), Painters (IUPAT), National Education Association, Service Employees (SEIU), the Auto Workers (UAW), and the Electrical Workers (UE) demonstrated that the Nation's working class stood with the outraged in the streets, and not with the U.S. Congress which applauded Netanyahu 79 times, 58 of which were standing ovations.

Reception to Netanyahu's arrival was radically different in the streets surrounding the Capitol. Kailey Essa traveled from Staten Island to protest, "not only the US’ complicity in genocide but also its reprehensible decision to invite a war criminal to address Congress. When ordinary Americans fail to resist, we effectively signal to the ruling class that we condone these atrocities and send a stark message to Palestinians that their suffering is met with indifference."

Staten Islanders, undeterred by his address occurring on a weekday, recognized the importance of showing up to the Capitol. “I felt that I couldn’t sit idly by while my own government invited a known war criminal to speak. It was important for as many people as possible to be in D.C, to demonstrate that our leaders’ interests are not in line with ours. The U.S. ruling class needs to see that the general public is aware, and aware of the horrors that they’ve allowed Israel and Netanyahu to commit with our tax dollars," said Leila Hegazy, a solo musician and a member of the duo band HEGAZY. Leila continued, "we’ve seen too many videos of bloodied children to allow them to continue their imperialist business as usual. We needed to show up in D.C, to let U.S. officials know that we will keep making noise until they change course, and they will be unseated if they don’t end their unconditional support for Israel’s murderous regime.”

Staten Islanders attending were steadfast that they will continue to speak out in their communities, and all across the country until the genocide comes to an end, and Palestine is free. Brandon Collins of St. George shared, "it was very important to me to travel down to DC. Congress giving a platform to a war criminal is unacceptable and every person with the ability should be mobilizing to challenge this injustice." Collins continued, "beyond that it was an incredible chance for community building and connection with other people supporting Gaza. It’s incredible to see how many people were there and we will continue to show up until Palestine is free.”

Gamal A. was compelled to make the trip to D.C. in part by his faith, citing the Hadith [Islamic Oral Tradition] "Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith."

“Biden, Congress, and the other powers that be must be made to understand that they cannot invite the cruel leader of a pariah state to give remarks at our Capitol without facing rightful public backlash and condemnation. In standing beside my fellow Staten Islanders, I wanted to drive this point home,” said Paul Medvetsky.

"We must not be silent," said Jones to fellow Staten Islanders, "let's find our voices and take a stand."

The July 24th nationwide pro-Palestine mobilization was the fourth in just the previous 300 days, and came just six weeks after members of the Staten Island community journeyed to Washington to form “The People’s Line” surrounding the White House. Despite prior warnings that an Israeli invasion of Rafah would be a ‘red line,’ President Biden has continued to supply Israel with weapons and funding for its genocide in Gaza. The June 8th mobilization drew an estimated 100,000 from across the country.