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Thousands of Texans descended upon the state Capitol Sunday afternoon in improve of Palestinians to name for a ceasefire in Gaza and an finish to U.S. and Texas support to Israel.
The dying toll in Gaza has surpassed 10,000 other people since war erupted on Oct. 7, when the militant team Hamas killed about 1,200 Israelis in a wonder assault. Israel introduced an intense floor invasion in neighboring Gaza, sparking outrage from the United Nations and plenty of nations because the dying toll has persisted to upward push. Gaza citizens face shortages of meals, water and clinical provides.
Both the Biden management and Gov. Greg Abbott have affirmed their improve for Israel, at the same time as President Joe Biden faces rising drive from individuals of his birthday party over his improve for the rustic.
Some Democrats in the Texas Legislature have advised President Biden to name a ceasefire. State Reps. Ron Reynolds of Missouri City, John Bryant of Dallas, Terry Meza of Irving and Ana-Maria Ramos despatched a letter to Texas Democratic Party chair Gilberto Hinojosa ultimate week asking the chief to urge the Biden management to safe further humanitarian support for Gaza and to paintings in opposition to a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Abbott flew to Israel previous this month to display his improve for the Middle Eastern nation. He met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in addition to the rustic’s minister of overseas affairs to talk about techniques Texas may just proceed to improve the rustic.
“Texas has always, and will always, support Israel and the Israeli people,” Abbott stated in a remark after the seek advice from. “During this trip, I saw firsthand the resilient spirit of the Israeli people … Texas will continue to help support Israel safeguard their freedom against brutal terrorist organizations like Hamas.”
On Sunday, protestors in Austin stood out of doors the Texas Capitol wearing indicators accusing Biden of the use of tax bucks to fund a “genocide” and asking him to improve a ceasefire. The protestors, a lot of whom had come from different Texas towns, then marched alongside San Jacinto Boulevard chanting “Ceasefire Now!” and “Free, Free Palestine Now!”
The crowd stretched throughout more than one blocks and spilled onto sidewalks. One team climbed onto a close-by parking storage and held banners over the roof. Another team carried a white banner that indexed the names of each and every individual killed in Gaza since Oct. 7. The protest was once arranged by way of a coalition of pro-Palestine teams, together with the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
“Our tax dollars should stay here for the prosperity of our own children, not for the death and destruction of impoverished children halfway around the world,” stated Cally Hibbs, an Austin resident who attended the protest and carried an indication asking other people to name their consultant and demand a ceasefire.
Texas Department of Public Safety officials stood alongside the fringe of the march, which remained non violent, to be certain attendees’ protection and to be certain the protest didn’t intrude with the Texas Book Festival, additionally happening in downtown Austin.
“We need to clarify misconceptions about what is happening in the Middle East,” stated Asif Shiraz, a protester from Austin. “We want people to realize that the U.S. policy is not fair towards Palestine.”
At one level, the march took specific goal on the governor, with some contributors yelling: “Abbott, Abbott, you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide.”
In October, the governor’s place of job allotted greater than $4 million to 31 Jewish organizations in Texas for bodily safety improvements and different protection enhancements. He additionally issued an government order directing state companies to now not acquire items produced in or exported from the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian territory whose borders are managed by way of Israel.
The Texas Comptroller’s Office additionally bought $65 million in Israel bonds in fresh weeks to lend a hand supply monetary liquidity to reply to Hamas’ assault. Since 1994, Texas has invested in Israeli bonds every year. The state holds about $140 million in Israel bonds, according to the comptroller’s place of job.
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