News / Human Rights

Pro-Palestine activists protest Israel, Clinton in Los Angeles

Tuesday, 23 August 2016 9:06 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 23 August 2016 10:41 AM ]

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest on Benedict Canon Drive in Beverly Hills, during a march against US aid to Israel and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, during a nearby fundraiser for Clinton at the home of billionaire Israeli-American billionaire Haim Saban, August 22, 2016. (AFP photo)

A large number of activists have held a demonstration in the US city of Los Angeles to protest against Israel and Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee.

The pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched on Monday night near the Beverly Hills home of Zionist billionaire Haim Saban, who was hosting a big fundraising event for Clinton.

The protest rally was organized by the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement (or BDS Movement), which seeks to end the Israeli occupation and colonization of Palestinian lands.

The protesters were carrying placards against the Israeli occupation and in support of the Palestinian people. They called on the US to stop providing billions of dollars annual military aid to Israel, which they said is being used to kill Palestinian women and children.

Haim Saban, an Israeli-American media tycoon, and his wife Cheryl reportedly are pouring millions of dollars into Clinton’s presidential bid.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest on Benedict Canon Drive in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, August 22, 2016. (AFP photo)

Clinton has written a letter to Saban, pledging to speak out publicly against the boycott campaign aimed at Israel.

Wealthy individuals, who are restricted by law from giving large amounts directly to candidates’ campaigns, donate to political action committees, commonly known as super-PACs.

According to a report published last week, pro-Israel billionaires are the “biggest donors” of Clinton’s super-PAC that has reportedly raised $154 million in donations to wage an advertising campaign to win the November election. Saban and George Soros were at top of the list.

Israelis are frustrated in the face of the growing boycott campaign. Israeli officials have held several meetings in an attempt to find a strategy to counter the BDS Movement, which has gained momentum globally in recent months.