Jewish Activists Protest for Cease-Fire Amid Ongoing Conflict in Gaza

On Tuesday, hundreds of Jewish activists were forcibly removed from the U.S. Capitol as they staged a sit-in protest demanding a cease-fire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. This conflict, which has lasted for 291 days, has resulted in the deaths of nearly 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza, with children suffering particularly severe consequences. The protest coincided with the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces increasing pressure regarding the fate of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack. Among the families affected is Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh was kidnapped during the assault. He is believed to be one of approximately 80 hostages still alive, while around 30 others are thought to have died, with their bodies held by militants. The emotional toll on families of hostages is compounded by the ongoing violence, as expressed by Goldberg-Polin, who criticized Netanyahu for prioritizing his political survival over the safety of hostages and the broader security of Israel and the region. In a letter to U.S. congressional leaders, former Israeli security and political officials echoed these sentiments, accusing Netanyahu of failing to defeat Hamas and lacking a post-war strategy. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, with reports of children suffering in Gaza, Goldberg-Polin emphasized the need to focus on bringing hostages home, expressing hope for positive developments during Netanyahu's upcoming meetings with President Biden and Vice President Harris.