PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A protest calling for a cease-fire in Gaza disrupted the Thursday evening commute for many drivers in Center City. The group Jewish Voice for Peace said they chose the eighth day of Hanukkah to stage demonstrations in eight cities, including Philadelphia.
A line of protesters standing side by side stretched across I-76 in the area of Vine Street and Girard Avenue to call for an end to the violence of the Israel-Hamas war, which has rumbled on for more than two months.
“It is absolutely an imperative for us to stand up in every way that we can,” said Rabbi Linda Holtzman of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. She spoke to KYW news partners at NBC 10.
“For this Hanukkah, we're saying we need to shine a light on everything that is happening in Gaza and interrupt life as usual here in the United States to make sure people notice.”
Police say 32 people were arrested and charged for disorderly conduct, and the highway was reopened.
Another group of protesters then blocked traffic in both directions on the Spring Garden Street Bridge, as police were rounding up protesters and led them away in handcuffs on the expressway below.
Protesters migrated to the Philadelphia Museum of Art nearby for a sit-in protest, which lasted a couple of hours before the group dispersed.
“We are not going to stop organizing until our politicians, our president, listen to their base, to the people, to us as a Jewish community, and until we actually achieve a permanent and lasting cease-fire and peace in Gaza, and an end to the killing of Palestinians,” said Dani Noble with Jewish Voice for Peace, speaking to NBC 10.
In organizing the protest, the group posted on Facebook: “We will make business as usual impossible until the U.S. stops funding and fueling a genocide.”
Some more traditional Jewish leaders have criticized the group. The Anti-Defamation League says on its website JVP does not represent the views of the mainstream Jewish community.
“We are here because we believe in everyone for everyone,” said Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari of the group Rabbis4Ceasefire, which joined JVP at the Thursday rally. She spoke to NBC 10.
“We believe every political prisoner should be exchanged for every Israeli hostage. We're here because we desperately want there to be peace and dignity and freedom for all Israelis and Palestinians. And we’re here calling on the Hanukkah spirit. We’re praying for the miracle of a ceasefire.”
About a month ago, another large group of protestors gathered in and around 30th Street Station with the same demand for peace in Gaza.
On Oct. 7, terrorist organization Hamas killed some 1,200 Israelis and took 240 more hostage. About 100 of those hostages have since been released. Israel immediately declared war, and has since then carried out a relentless assault, vowing to never stop until Hamas is completely crushed.
Israel has killed more than 18,000 Palestinians in its air and ground offensive, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, and Israel is predicting several more months of warfare and bloodshed.
The Biden administration has shown unease over Israel’s failure to reduce civilian casualties and its unwillingness to restart negotiations for a two-state solution after the war or to allow the involvement of the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority in the administration of Gaza. However, the White House continues to offer wholehearted support for Israel with weapons shipments and diplomatic backing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.