Dozens of protesters gathered outside of Sen. Rick Scott's office in Coral Gables Tuesday afternoon, rallying for the people of Gaza.
Organizers with Jewish Voice for Peace South Florida held the demonstration.
Protesters who identified themselves as members of South Florida’s Jewish community said they were taking action to not only demonstrate their grief over the loss of 3,000 lives in Gaza and 1,400 lives in Israel but also call for the U.S. to cease weapon supplies to Israel.
Demonstrators say they’re also demanding an immediate ceasefire to prevent further humanitarian catastrophes.
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“To have a cease-fire so the war can end. And yes, I condemn terrorism, I condemn murder," demonstrator Ella Fies said. “I don’t condemn anybody being murdered. Period. End all.”
Israel-Hamas war
Coral Gables Police intervention resulted in four demonstrators who appeared to be standing on the building’s private property being taken into custody by officers.
Two of the four who were detained, Nicole "Nikki" Morse and Alan Levine, spoke to NBC6 prior to being placed in handcuffs.
“We need humanitarian aid, and we are calling for a ceasefire,” Morse said.
“We are particularly concerned that Israel seeks to do this in the name of Jews, and we mean to say that you may not do this in our name,” Levine said.
As Israel prepares for a ground invasion aimed at destroying Hamas, and international pressure mounts over the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza strip, President Joe Biden prepared for a wartime visit to Israel.
Biden’s flight to Israel left Tuesday night.
"Making sure that [Biden] continues to send a strong signal of support to Israel, obviously as they continue to defend themselves,” said National Security Council’s Coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Jordan greeting the Palestinian authority president, as he continued an urgent diplomatic tour seeking to keep the conflict from spreading to surrounding countries.
After a marathon meeting with Israel's prime minister Monday, Secretary Blinken announced a US-Israel agreement to help humanitarian aid reach civilians in Gaza.
NBC6 reached out to both Scott’s office and the Coral Gables Police Department for comment.
