A Jewish-led protest gathered a block away from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) New York home to protest an Israel aid bill.
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Schumer’s neighborhood to demand a cessation of aid to Israel. The group gathered around a large display reading, “No one is free until everyone is free — Jews say stop arming Israel.” The event was called “Seder in the Streets,” referring to the Jewish Passover service.
“This will not be a Seder as usual. These are not usual times,” Morgan Bassichis of the progressive group Jewish Voice for Peace told attendees, the New York Times reported.
Stefanie Fox, executive director of Jewish Voice for Peace, said Monday that the protest was guided by their Jewish religious beliefs.
“Everything in our tradition compels us to bring everything we have to stopping these historic atrocities being done in our names and with our tax dollars,” she said.
Bringing in Jewish imagery, Jewish Voice for Peace, which fashions itself the “largest progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organization in the world,” described the protest as a “mass exodus from Zionism.”
Others directly targeted Schumer, bashing his previous condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as inadequate.
“Sen. Schumer just very recently spoke very harshly about Prime Minister Netanyahu on the Senate floor,” Beth Miller, the group’s political director, told attendees, per the outlet. “For him to do that with one hand, and then on the other hand reward Prime Minister Netanyahu by pushing forward this military funding package, shows that he is not serious about actually shifting U.S. policy to leverage change.”
Last month, Schumer gave the sternest condemnation of Israel given by a congressional leader, saying Netanyahu must go. However, he has continued his longtime support of Israel.
On Tuesday evening, the Senate approved the foreign aid package, which includes $26 billion for Israel. The defense bill now heads to the desk of President Joe Biden, who has promised to sign it quickly.
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The protest blocked a road, leading to police intervention. Police said that everyone who didn’t get off the road and onto the sidewalk would be arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
It was unclear if anyone was arrested at the demonstration.
