WASHINGTON: In a series of coordinated protests during the Christmas weekend, thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered across major cities in the United States, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The rallies aimed to disrupt commercial activities to highlight the sufferings of Palestinian under siege, particularly in the Christian holy town of Bethlehem.

“Our demands for an immediate ceasefire, cutting all aid to Israel, and lifting the siege on Gaza have broader support than ever,” said the Shut It Down for Palestine (SDP) movement, which organised the rallies.

The SDP is made up of pro-Palestinian groups who have been working across North America to build support for the Palestinian cause. “The genocidal Israeli assault on Gaza is continuing with incredible cruelty,” said another similar coalition, ANSWER.

The group pointed out that Christians sheltering in their besieged churches in Gaza and Christians in Bethlehem had cancelled their celebrations in support of the people of Gaza. “People everywhere must continue to declare that there can be no Christmas as usual during a genocide,” it added.

Posts on social media appeared to show large pro-Palestinian protests in New York City, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, and Toronto. In one clip, protesters in New York City appeared to be chanting: “While you’re shopping, bombs are dropping.”

The protesters, waving the pan-Arab-colours flag and donning symbolic Palestinian keffiyeh, voiced their condemnation of Israel’s assault on Gaza, describing it as an act of “incredible cruelty”.

The group emphasised the impact on Christians in Gaza and Bethlehem, claiming that occupation forces were targeting them during the holiday season. Fox News reported that a massive group of pro-Palestinian protesters in Chicago confronted lawmakers at their homes on Saturday and temporarily shut down an inter-state highway to express support for Palestinians in Gaza.

The group, led by the US Palestinian Community Network, first stopped at the home of Representative Jan Schakowsky in Evanston, Illinois, the report added. The demonstrators confronted Senator Dick Durbin at his home in Chicago, shouting chants of “Long live Palestine”.

The protests unfolded against the backdrop of a UN Security Council resolution, calling for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza and the release of prisoners held by Hamas. However, the resolution fell short of demanding an “urgent suspension of hostilities”.

As the Biden administration faces growing pressure to persuade Israel toward a humanitarian ceasefire, a New York Times/Siena College poll highlighted a generational and political divide in US support for Israel. Approximately 33 per cent approved of President Biden’s handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with 57 per cent disapproving. Notably, 74 per cent of voters aged 18 to 29 expressed disapproval, revealing a significant split within the Democratic base.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2023