US Citizens Take to the Streets, Demanding an End to Funding for Israel

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators close major roads in the US. They urged the US Government to stop funding Israel.

BRONT WITTPENN/SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE VIA AP

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blockade a road in Oakland, California, United States, Monday (15/4/2024) local time.

SAN FRANCISCO, TUESDAY — Pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place in Illinois, New York, and the Pacific Northwest region, United States. Hundreds of people took to the streets to ask the US Government to stop funding for Israel.

The action of demonstrators chaining themselves to drums filled with cement on the Golden Gate Bridge stopped traffic in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, for hours. Car drivers, cyclists and pedestrians cannot pass through the Golden Gate.

The police were able to reopen access to the iconic bridge on Monday (15/4/2024) local time or early Tuesday (16/4/2024) Indonesian time. Approximately 20 people were arrested by the police in the aftermath of the incident.

AP PHOTO/NOAH BERGER

Aysha Abraibesh led the cheers as pro-Palestine protesters blocked the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, the United States, on Monday (15/4/2024) local time.

The pro-Palestinian demonstration was part of A15 Action, a solidarity movement to block main infrastructure to have an economic impact. Rifqa Falaneh, one of the action coordinators, said the demonstration was part of the global movement's efforts to blockade the economy in order to liberate Palestine.

In Chicago, State of Illinois, protesters blocked Interstate 190, the road leading to O'hare International Airport. Prospective airplane passengers who are stuck in traffic continue their journey on foot while dragging their suitcases.

One of them is Madeline Hannan. After her husband's car got stuck in traffic for 20 minutes, she chose to walk about 1.6 kilometers to the airport. She managed to reach the departure gate at the airport in a very tight time.

"This is indeed very uncomfortable, but compared to what is happening abroad (in Palestine), this is nothing," said Hannan.

AP PHOTO/NAM Y. HUH

A prospective passenger walks in Terminal 1 at O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois, United States, Monday (15/4/2024) local time.

Pro-Palestine demonstrators also closed off the main road leading to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Local authorities urged residents who are heading to the airport to use special trains.

In addition, protesters in Oregon blocked the toll road for 40 minutes. Meanwhile, in New York, demonstrators blocked the Brooklyn Bridge and stopped traffic for some time before the police dispersed the action.

Through social media account X, A15 Action stated that pro-Palestine demonstrations also took place in Greece, Spain, and Australia. Similar actions are also planned to be held in Canada, Colombia, Italy, Belgium, and South Korea.

Also read: Voters and Politicians Fight Back Against Israel Lobbyists in the United States

CHRIS PIETSCH/THE REGISTER-GUARD VIA AP

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators blockade a road in Oregon, United States, Monday (15/4/2024) local time.

Israeli Funding

At the end of March, The Washington Post reported, the US government secretly approved sending thousands of bombs and dozens of fighter jets to Israel. The weapons package sent by the US to Israel included 1,800 MK84 bombs and 500 MK82 bombs.

The 2-ton MK84 bomb can level a city and create craters in the ground with a width of more than 12 meters. This type of bomb is no longer used by Western military forces to fight in densely populated areas due to the high risk of civilian casualties.

Previously, the US Department of State also approved the shipment of 25 F-35A fighter jets worth around 2.5 billion US dollars. This step was approved by Congress in 2008, so the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not obliged to inform parliamentary members again. The same applies to the shipment of MK84 and MK82 bombs.

Also read: US Secretly Sends Bombs and Warplanes to Israel

AFP/STEFANI REYNOLDS

US President Joe Biden.

Since it erupted on October 7, the Israel-Hamas war has left at least 33,797 people in Gaza dead. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the majority of residents killed were women and children.

After the Iran attack, the Israeli military is intensifying its attacks on the Gaza Strip. Hamas reported that Israel launched dozens of airstrikes on Sunday night.

Currently, Israel is also planning an attack on Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. The US does not agree with the plan that has the potential to result in many civilian casualties. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that the attack must be carried out in order to achieve a decisive victory over Hamas.

Also read: After Iran's attack, Israel intensifies attacks on Gaza

AP PHOTO/FATIMA SHBAIR

Palestinians walk amid the ruins of buildings in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza, Monday (8/4/2024).

Rafah is crowded with 1.4 million Gaza residents who have evacuated from other cities due to being pressed by Israeli military attacks. Some parties warn that the Israeli attack on Rafah will result in civilian casualties.

During a protest in Los Angeles, hundreds of people took to the streets with banners reading "End the siege of Gaza now, stop US funding for Israel". Similar actions also took place in Philadelphia, coinciding with the tax payment deadline.

”We want taxes to be better used to support the interests of Philadelphians, to fund programs that can make the city safer,” Hannah Zellman, one of the action coordinators, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.