About three dozen rabbis and rabbinical students from US organisations have protested at the United Nations, urging a ceasefire in Gaza and asking US President Joe Biden’s administration to allow such resolutions to pass instead of vetoing them in the Security Council, Reuters reports.

The protests were organised by US Jewish groups including Jewish Voice for Peace, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, and Rabbis for Ceasefire. Social media posts by the groups said 36 rabbis were at the demonstration inside the UN Security Council Chamber.

The Huffington Post reported that the rabbis gained access to the building as part of a guided tour. Protesters at the United Nations carried banners that read “Biden: the world says ceasefire” and “Biden: Stop vetoing peace”.

Ceasefire protests have been seen recently in many parts of the US, ranging from near airports and bridges in New York City and Los Angeles to vigils outside the White House and marches in Washington near the US Capitol.

Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt has labelled groups demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, such as Jewish Voice for Peace, as “hate groups” that do not represent the Jewish community.