WASHINGTON — Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters rallied outside the home of US Secretary of Defense and the White House national security advisor, Christmas morning to demand a cease fire.
Sara Sleiman, one of the organizers says they picked Christmas day because 20% of Palestinians are Christian.
"There can't be celebration and gifts and joy when people are being murdered in their homes, schools and hospitals." Sleiman said.
It’s been nearly three months since Israel declared war on Hamas.
Over 20 thousand Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza strip. Nearly 2 million have lost their homes.
The U.S. provides billions of dollars of support to Israel Defense Forces every year-as part of a series of agreements dating back decades.
Supporters are demanding the Unites States pull back its funding.
"As a nation that upholds democracy, it's been disheartening to see their response -to millions of Americans who are calling for a ceasefire and better use of their tax dollars."
Later that day in Northwest D.C., the same group of protesters gathered outside the home of White House National Security advisor, Jake Sullivan, hoping to put an end to the war.
Recently, Advisor Sullivan met with Israeli leaders to discuss the ongoing conflict, to defeat Hamas, while minimizing harm to civilians and ensuring the flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Both rallies were peaceful.
Fairfax County police said no arrests were made this morning.
We reached out to the Department of Defense, they declined to provide a statement or response.