Thousands protest over Gaza outside White House, Obama hotel
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/10/art.protest.gi.jpg caption="Protestors gathered near the White House Saturday."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - Thousands of pro-Palestinian activists rallied outside the temporary residence of President-elect Barack Obama Saturday, and called on the incoming leader to stop the violence in Gaza.
About 3,000 people carrying signs and chanting "Free Palestine" flooded Lafayette Park, which is sandwiched between the White House and the Hay-Adams Hotel, where the president-elect is living with his family.
Carrying a Palestinian and wearing a keffiyeh, Abdel-Kader Elkabil called on the president-elect to take action.
"Please Mr. Obama, do something. We love you. We voted for you," said Abdel-Kader Elkabil. "I'm expecting you to do something...you're the only one who can do something."
Asma Mobin-Uddin drove to Washington with a group of 500 activists from Ohio. She said she had voted for Obama because she believed he could "make a difference."
"President Obama, look in the eyes of your kids and look in the eyes of the kids in that region," said Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin. "Please, stop the violence, stop the hate, stop the occupation."
Though the president-elect has been asked by reporters to comment on the situation in Gaza, Obama has consistently deferred to President Bush.
"I've been getting briefed every day. I've had consistent conversations with members of the current administration about what's taking place," Obama said Monday.
"I will continue to insist that when it comes to foreign affairs, it is particularly important to adhere to the principle of one president at a time, because there are delicate negotiations taking place right now, and we can't have two voices coming out of the United States when you have so much at stake."
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How is this America's problem? I thought Israel is a sovereign nation capable of defending itself from Palestinian supported Hamas thugs?
Quit yer whinning. We've got enough problems of our own right now. Go to the United Nations.
he can't do anything until Jan. 20, people. We all have to wait.
It is okay for Hamas to lob bombs into Israel.....and then hide among the civilians. They are reaping what they have sewn!
While I am no right-winger, there's something people need to understand. "Free Palestine" is a coded way to say "Destroy Israel."
The people who are demanding that the U.S. stop all aid to Israel believe that Israel should be completely wiped off the map and be replaced be an Arab-Islamic state called Palestine.
It's not just about the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It's also about Tel Aviv, Haifa, West Jerusalem,...the whole enchilada. When these people talk about the "occupation of Palestine," they are talking about the existence of the state of Israel itself, which they consider to be the "occupation of Palestinian territory."
THIS is the reason why Hamas has continued firing rockets, and also the reason why the Arab-Islamic world gets up in arms everytime Israel does ANYTHING to protect itself. They believe that Israel should NOT exist, period.
Until the Arab-Islamic world accepts the fact that Israel DOES have a right to exist, there will be no peace.
HE IS NOT THE PRESIDENT YET! WHY DON'T YOU GUYS GO AFTER BUSH?
Yes, please let's get involved in another war so the people asking us to help can turn around and say they hate us. Let's please keep telling other countries how to conduct themselves. The world hasn't had enough of the U.S. of A telling them what to do. Also, we have a lot of extra money in the U.S., let's please spend it in another country.
By the way, does anyone here know the definition of irony or sarcasm?
Another thing how can these animals complain about collateral deaths when these very mothers let Hamas shoot rockets using their children as sheilds, or letting their children strap bombs to themselves.
Give me a break, they care about hate not their children. Name one Nobel Prize winner in any science or economic category that these wonderful mothers have produced.
This will be ultimate and fururistic test for incoming President barrack Obama. The entrenched Israel lobbies and New York news setting media will not allow and permit to be fair and forward looking to address the issues famillies, fellows, friends, faiths, finances, and fun with freedom & fairness and without fear, favor, and failure.
With regards,
COL. A.M.Khajawall [Ret]
America can stop the situation in that part of the World. America will have to STOP GIVING ISRAEL UN-CONDITIONAL SUPPORT.
If we continue with the Foreign Policies that we now honor . . . WE ARE SETTING OURSELVES UP FOR ANOTHER 9/11!
AMERICA CANNOT SUPPORT ISRAEL'S DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR WITH THE PALESTINE PEOPLE!
PALESTEIN PEOPLE DESERVE HUMAN RIGHT'S!
It's time for obama to pay back the nation of islam and it starts in 10 more days. We need to bring some Israeli's over here to clean up Lafayette Park.
I must have missed all the protesting for the last THREE YEARS as Hamas sent rocket after rocket into Israel. Guess I wasn't paying attention.
"Those who bless you, I will bless. Those who curse you, will be cursed by me." These are the words of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to Israel. We would do well to heed them.
we all love and desired peace in all its ramifications, but can a sustainable peace be attained where there is no equality and justice?the answer is not far fetched,ITS CAPITAL NO.
I dont think that MIGHT is always RIGHT,but some poeple tenaciously beleives that MIGHT is right.
HISTORY WILL JUDGE US ALL.
TO T. Mckinley: Nicely said and not only that wether you like it or not the Bible tells us any nation that supports Israel the Lord God will bless.
We had better support Israel more than we do anyone else!!
We need to stay out of it. The Palestinian supporters spew nothing but hatred and Isreal can take care of itself.
OBAMA CAN'T DO ANYTHING NOW OR EVEN AFTER HE IS PRESIDENT, ISRAEL IS IT'S OWN STATE AND THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD REMAIN. LET ISRAEL DEFEND ITSELF OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.
I couldn't have said it any better myself. It is this exact reason that I too believe is the reason Hamas is still firing these missiles into Israel. All Israel wants to do is live in peace, but they are always being "heckled" by Palestine and every state that is on its borders who don't respect Israel's statehood. I too am not a "right-winger," but I feel Palestine brought it on themselves because Israel did warn them that if they didn't stop, they would retaliate.
Israel has the right to defend itself from the thousands of rockets that have been being shot at it for the past several years. Obama must stick to supporting Israel 100%. Israel has the right to exist and is one of the best democracies on earth. Have you ever been there? I recommend you go because it is my favorite place on earth!
"Carrying a Palestinian..."?
Lol this fighting has been going on for so long now that any right winger that thinks th emost hated country in the world can stop anything must have voted for McCain. And probably thinks Palin will be the next Prez. Lol the only thing she could govern is a trailer park
Yes the protest is good, but why in front of ( PE ) Obama Hotel ?
Let’s hope Israel finishes off Hamas before Obama turns against Israel
If these people cannot accept that BOTH states have a right to exist, I don't see how our pouring money unto Israel for weapons (they get more of our dollars than anyone else, by far!) is helping do anything but keep the battles going. Israel does not treat the Palestinians with any respect, and that behavior is returned. If you look at the casualty numbers, the Palestinians are being killed in far greater numbers because Israel has more weapons, thanks to our support. I don't want either group to disappear, but I do think we cannot afford to keep funding this crusade.
Obama will do the same thing Bush has done in the region... why – because its the best thing for USA. We need to support Israel, especaially against terrorist like Hamas. I am excited about the new President. Lets also not forget his Chief of Staff (Emanuel) is Jewish as is his most senior Advisor(Axlerod). Both are huge supporters of Israel.
Sorry the protests are all for nothing!
T Mckinley:
Israel may have a right to exist, but it also has an obligation to respect the rights of the people who were there before Israel existed. Oh, and not pound innocent people into oblivion with the accuracy by volume form of warfare. Two wrongs do not make a right. It is time the government of that country was called upon to act in a responsible and moral manner.
I think, it is important that we all talk and act as responsible citizens. We, as Americans, have more responsibilty than rest of the world. We can bring peace and justice in the world by acting and talking as moral human being. By no means, we should support Israel the killing and occupation that is going on in Gaza, is unhumane.