Anti-Israel rioters burn US flag, attempt to breach Capitol Police line as Netanyahu addresses Congress

[Valletta]

A sea of Palestinian flags dominated the protests.
Chants of “No justice, no peace,” “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be freed,” and “Intifada” were shouted repeatedly.
“I never imagined seeing the flag of a terror group holding eight Americans hostage for 292 days waved in the streets of our nation’s Capitol,” Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) said on X. “Over a million Americans have given their lives to protect that right — including my own father.”

Anti-Israel rioters burn US flag, attempt to breach Capitol Police line as Netanyahu addresses Congress

Throngs of protesters descended on the railroad station, just blocks from the US Capitol building where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the war in Gaza with a fiery address to Co…

nypost.com

As I've said, Israel is first and then the United States. Why are there not more troops there to defend the Capitol?

 

[AlexB23]

A sea of Palestinian flags dominated the protests.
Chants of “No justice, no peace,” “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be freed,” and “Intifada” were shouted repeatedly.
“I never imagined seeing the flag of a terror group holding eight Americans hostage for 292 days waved in the streets of our nation’s Capitol,” Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) said on X. “Over a million Americans have given their lives to protect that right — including my own father.”

Anti-Israel rioters burn US flag, attempt to breach Capitol Police line as Netanyahu addresses Congress

Throngs of protesters descended on the railroad station, just blocks from the US Capitol building where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the war in Gaza with a fiery address to Co…

nypost.com

As I've said, Israel is first and then the United States.

Dang, this is some scary times, brother in Christ. Goes to show that far-left people are violent as well. I stay away from folks who have "far-" as a prefix behind their political party.

Prayers for peace to happen, and the riots to end. Yes, both sides have been pretty bad lately, but this antisemitism has got to end. Is it me, or does it feel like our world is a burning Hindenburg, and has been for the past year? We need to pray for the end to antisemitism, end to this war, and for Hamas to be shut down.

Image From AP:

Thousands fill Washington's streets to protest Israel's war in Gaza during Netanyahu visit

Some of the demonstrations have condemned Israel but others have expressed support while pressuring Netanyahu to strike a cease-fire deal and bring home the hostages.

apnews.com

For reference, the Hindenburg was an airship with hydrogen gas inside that caught fire in the 1930s, causing the deaths of 36 souls:

Hindenburg disaster - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[bèlla]

Not surprising and expected. Many oppose the war.

~bella

 

[Bumble Bee]

I don’t find burning the American flag in the US an appropriate form of protest.

 

[rturner76]

I think if the protesters are Republicans, they should be excused. If they are Democrats, throw the book at them. (sarcasm)

 

[Friedrich Rubinstein]

Not surprising and expected. Many oppose the war.

~bella

How can you chant "From the river to the sea", "Globalize the Intifada" and "No peace on stolen land" when you are opposing the war? All of these are calls for more violence, not less. If you oppose the war you should chant "Free the hostages now" or "Hamas has to surrender". Yet I've not once heard any chants like that at these protests. As if the protesters have no issue with Hamas and their consequential actions.

 

[Bradskii]

I don’t find burning the American flag in the US an appropriate form of protest.

I think the whole idea of a protest is to do something that you won't necessarily like.

 

[IceJad]

I think the whole idea of a protest is to do something that you won't necessarily like.

Like blocking ambulances and making everyday people who wants nothing to do with the protest suffer? Beating up the opposing side and threaten their place of worship? If protest give people permission to do thing you won't necessarily like where is the boundary of civility not to mention law?

You mean burning the representation of a nation is permissible? And here I thought an expression of hate towards a group of people based on their nationality, gender or faith is frown upon and can get you arrested. Maybe just some symbols are more equal than others. Some call to violence are more equal than others. Some freedom of speech are more equal than others.

Colorado attorney general warns that setting Pride flags ablaze can be a crime in some circumstances

It can be a crime to burn a Pride flag, depending on the circumstances, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said on Wednesday after the state Republican Party issued a call

www.coloradopolitics.com

 

[bèlla]

How can you chant "From the river to the sea", "Globalize the Intifada" and "No peace on stolen land" when you are opposing the war? All of these are calls for more violence, not less. If you oppose the war you should chant "Free the hostages now" or "Hamas has to surrender". Yet I've not once heard any chants like that at these protests. As if the protesters have no issue with Hamas and their consequential actions.

Have you tried asking? There were anti war demonstrations around the country and I'm sure you can find sympathizers online.

~bella

 

[Valletta]

I don’t find burning the American flag in the US an appropriate form of protest.

I would deport the non-citizens who participate in such acts of violence, and I would fire all Congressional staff members who participated and called in sick.

 

[Friedrich Rubinstein]

Have you tried asking? There were anti war demonstrations around the country and I'm sure you can find sympathizers online.

~bella

I have talked to dozens of them, and it always turned out that they aren't anti-war. They just want the other side to have the upper hand.

 

[Bradskii]

Like blocking ambulances and making everyday people who wants nothing to do with the protest suffer? Beating up the opposing side and threaten their place of worship? If protest give people permission to do thing you won't necessarily like where is the boundary of civility not to mention law?

I'd disagree with those examples. The put people in danger. Some people have received long jail sentences for their actions in this regard: Just Stop Oil: Rishi Sunak defends 'severe' jail sentences

You mean burning the representation of a nation is permissible?

Most definitely. You are not harming anyone, causing inconvenience to the point of endangering lives, but you are drawing people's attention to the matter. It's symbolic.

And here I thought an expression of hate towards a group of people based on their nationality, gender or faith is frown upon and can get you arrested.

Burning a flag is not expressing hate to people. The flag is a representation of the government of that country. So Americans can burn an American flag. Australians an Australian one. As a protest against their own governments. If it didn't mean anything to you and others then it wouldn't be worth doing. It has to cause a reaction.

 

[Valletta]

I'd disagree with those examples. The put people in danger. Some people have received long jail sentences for their actions in this regard: Just Stop Oil: Rishi Sunak defends 'severe' jail sentences

Most definitely. You are not harming anyone, causing inconvenience to the point of endangering lives, but you are drawing people's attention to the matter. It's symbolic.

Burning a flag is not expressing hate to people. The flag is a representation of the government of that country. So Americans can burn an American flag. Australians an Australian one. As a protest against their own governments. If it didn't mean anything to you and others then it wouldn't be worth doing. It has to cause a reaction.

How about replacing the American flag with a Palestinian flag?

 

[bèlla]

I have talked to dozens of them, and it always turned out that they aren't anti-war. They just want the other side to have the upper hand.

Why did you ask me the same? I'm not out there. ;-)

~bella

 

[Friedrich Rubinstein]

Why did you ask me the same? I'm not out there. ;-)

~bella

My question was meant to show that these are not anti-war protests since the people protesting have no problem with violence when it's the other way around. I apologize if that was confusing

 

[AlexB23]

How about replacing the American flag with a Palestinian flag?

I hope that would be legal.

For myself, I do not own any flags, as Jesus and the Nicene Creed are the only things I pledge my life to, though I am blessed to live in one of the top safest nations in the world. Yes, Germany and other countries in the EU might be a bit safer, but the US is the safest and most free in the Americas.

-----------------------------------
Nicene Creed (4th century AD):

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.


I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic (or Christian) and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

[bèlla]

My question was meant to show that these are not anti-war protests since the people protesting have no problem with violence when it's the other way around. I apologize if that was confusing

Given the response in Congress it's evident the issue is divisive. Whether you agree with their position or not the country isn't united nor are believers. And we've seen violence on both sides. I've followed them for quite some time and saw other factions making trouble. It's a controversial issue and heightened emotions are usually a factor.

I'm more concerned with the christian response. That's the one I'm observing.

~bella

 

[Valletta]

I hope that would be legal.

The article said that one of the flags was rescued. What about the rest of the flags that the crowd took and burned and replaced with Palestinian flags? Isn't that theft and then destruction of government property. Starting a fire on Capitol property without a permit? Defacing public statues. Trying to breach the Capitol? Burning an effigy of a Jew. Would you consider that a hate crime?

 

[bèlla]

The article said that one of the flags was rescued. What about the rest of the flags that the crowd took and burned and replaced with Palestinian flags? Isn't that theft and then destruction of government property. Starting a fire on Capitol property without a permit? Defacing public statues. Trying to breach the Capitol? Burning an effigy of a Jew. Would you consider that a hate crime?

We saw the same with BLM protests and nothing occurred. Burning effigies of political figures has been happening for a while. If they didn't address it with a sitting president don't expect the same for another.

~bella

 

[Michie]

All eyes are on Capitol Hill on July 24, 2024, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing a joint session of Congress. House Republicans invited the world leader to speak as the war between Israel and Hamas rages on. As a result of the visit, several road closures and parking restrictions have been in place for several days, and thousands of protesters -- from both sides -- are making their voices heard. By noon, a pro-Palestinian protest had already closed down at least four blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue, right outside the Capitol. Six intersections around the Capitol are completely blocked off with ongoing demonstrations. "It is a slap in the face for this administration and for both parties to be hosting someone who is wanted by the international criminal courts for the role that he's played in the massacre of Palestian people in Gaza," Kaleem Hawa, an organizer of the Palestinian Youth Movement, said. "Our responsibility today is to show mass grassroots anger at this administration's ongoing funding and arming of this genocide." The crowd appeared to be a diverse group made up of people with Palestinian roots, members of the Jewish community and others who say they are outraged at what's going on in Gaza. "I want to make clear that Netyanhu when he stands up in Congress does not represent all Jews, and certainly he does not speak in the name of the Jewish relgion," said Rabbi Dovid Feldman with Jews United Against Zionism. "It is that religion that he refuses to follow, that he choses to misuse to justify all that he stands for." FULL STORY: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/loc...