Hundreds of pro-Palestinians rally at Israeli Consulate in L.A., calling for end to invasion of Gaza
Hundreds of people participated in a pro-Palestinian rally and march Saturday in front of the Israeli Consulate in West Los Angeles, condemning Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip in retaliation for Hamas’ brutal attack last month on its neighbor.
Waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Cease-fire now!” the demonstrators rallied in front of the consulate on Wilshire Boulevard in Brentwood at about 1 p.m. They then began slowly marching east under the 405 Freeway and toward the Federal Building in Westwood.
Though orderly and peaceful, the marchers spread out over the street, leaving one lane open for cars to pass before eventually taking over the entire boulevard. Many motorists rolled down their windows, fists bumping, whistling, and even pulling out their own Palestinian flags in solidarity.
The protests come amid an escalating war between Israel and Hamas militants, who launched a surprise offensive from neighboring Gaza on southern Israel on Oct. 7.
Since then, more than 1,400 people have died on the Israeli side, with Palestinian militants continung to hold about 220 people hostage. More than 9,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
