Several pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested during a protest near the White House, the Daily Caller News Foundation observed.

People from organizations representing Palestinian causes gathered near the White House in Washington, D.C. on Monday and demanded a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, with some calling the country an “apartheid” and “genocidal” state, the DCNF observed on the scene. Over a dozen protesters attempted to break through the gates of the White House gates and were subsequently arrested by the U.S. Secret Service (USSS).

“This afternoon, more than 30 individuals were arrested by the U.S. Secret Service’s Uniformed Division for Unlawful Entry or Incommoding after crossing safety barriers or blocking entrances during a demonstration at the White House complex,” USSS spokesperson Special Agent Steve Kopek told the DCNF. “There was no impact to White House security operations. The individuals have been transported to the Metropolitan Police Department 2nd District for processing.”

“We have shut down the White House at every door,” one protester said, the DCNF observed.

One of the arrested protesters encouraged others to rush the gates of the White House and referred to Israel as a “fascist” state, while another said that it was “brave” for protesters to rush the gates.

“They’re doing something extraordinarily brave,” a protester told the DCNF. (RELATED: ‘They Want Our People Dead’: Jewish Student Bursts Into Tears As Pro-Hamas Demonstration Takes Place On Campus)

“We should put all of our pressure on Israel to stop a ground invasion,” the protester said. “We should hold [U.S.] aid to Israel hostage to prevent the genocide of Gazan people and Palestinians.”

Arrested protesters were put in the back of a Secret Service Police van and escorted away from the scene, the DCNF observed.

Democracy For Arab World Now (DAWN), which called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and declared Israel’s counteroffensive in Gaza is tantamount to “war crimes,” was among the protesters, the DCNF observed. If Not Now, a collective of American Jews determined to end “Israel’s apartheid system” and support Palestinian independence, was also at the scene.

“We need deescalation now,” If Not Now said in a statement on Oct. 11. “As Israeli leaders advocate for genocide and ethnic cleansing, it is reckless and unconscionable for the US government to be sending additional military aid to Israel.”

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