House staffers gathered on Capitol Hill for an anti-Israel protest.
The move followed the House’s vote to provide aid to Israel despite opposition from the Biden administration.
“Hill staff are encouraged to join their colleagues in a peaceful action together before Members vote on whether or not to override President Biden’s decision to pause some weapons shipments to Israel,” a flyer reads.
Staffers were encouraged to “remove identifiable clothing” and “wear masks.”
An estimated 30 staff members marched with a sign reading, “Your staff demands you save Rafah.”
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) criticized the protest, writing, “Hey Hamas apologists – this is the flag you should be flying. Every staffer out gallivanting across the Capitol instead of doing the taxpayer-funded job they were hired to do should be fired immediately. We stand with our allies and we condemn the real oppressors in Gaza – Hamas!”
An anonymous individual involved with the protest told the Washington Examiner that demonstrators were advised to protect their identities because of the “inherent risk in speaking out.”
“We know the fear of identification and retaliation has led some staffers to reconsider their ability to participate, but we hope and expect a good number to show anyway in a display of bravery in standing up to our bosses who continue to ignore the will of their constituents each and every day.”
