Pro-Palestinian protesters set up a Gaza solidarity camp late Saturday across from the White House. The encampment in the Ellipse, the 52-acre park directly south of the White House, was established after thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the White House on Saturday to protest US President Joe Biden's policy regarding the Israeli onslaught in the Gaza Strip, particularly the invasion of Rafah. Wearing red, the protesters surrounded the building with a two-mile red banner to symbolize Biden's "red line" concerning Israel's invasion of Rafah. Biden previously said an invasion of Rafah would cross a "red line," but senior US officials were quick to backtrack on those remarks, saying the president did not set any "red lines" for Israel as it carries out its offensive. Police tightened security and implemented additional safety measures, including anti-scale fencing, near the White House complex. "Biden, We Are Your Red Line," protesters chanted, urging the president to stop the "genocide" in the besieged enclave. They also demanded a halt to sending weapons to Israel. Some of the banners read: "Genocide Is Our Red Line," "Biden's Red Line Was A Lie," "Hands Off Rafah! Stop The Genocide," "End All US Aid to Israel," "Stop Arming Israel," "Lift the Siege on Gaza Now," and "Arms Embargo on Israel." Carrying Palestinian flags, the protesters also chanted slogans against the president, saying: "Biden you can't hide, we charge you with genocide!" Biden is currently on a state visit to France. The president has faced a wave of nationwide protests for his handling of the Gaza conflict. Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7 despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire. More than 36,800 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, and over 83,600 others injured, according to local health authorities. — Agencies
