Group calling for end to Gaza violence blocks Boeing entrance; says company 'profits' from war

SEATTLE (KCPQ) -- Nine individuals laid along a crosswalk Monday morning near Boeing's Tukwila offices, refusing to move in protest of the aviation giant's alleged profiteering from the recent escalation in conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The nine individuals blocked traffic off E. Marginal Way near the Museum of Flight, refusing to move as employees arrived for work.

Near the nine, as many as 40 others lay down alongside the sidewalk, participating in what they called a "die in" in solidarity with Palestinians who have lost their lives in Gaza.

The protectors, claiming to make up part of Seattle's "Jewish Voice For Peace" group, planned to read the names of the more than 1,000 Palestinians killed in recent fighting since July 8.

According to a pamphlet dispersed by the group, Boeing Defense, Space and Security was responsible for building many of the weapons that go to the Israeli Defense Force.

"Boeing has been a major supplier of weapons to the Israeli Defense Force, including missile systems, F15 software, Apache Helicopters and Joint Direct Attack Muinctions, a guided air-to-surface weapon," the group alleges in a pamphlet passed out at the protest. "Israel is using weapons such as these on civilian targets including homes, mosques, hospitals and schools."



Members of the group justified their actions to block traffic, saying it was a minor inconvenience compared to the gravity of the of crimes Boeing was committing.

"As a Jew, I am outraged that Israel's one-sided war of choice is being done in my name," Jewish Voice for Peace Eliana Horn said. "My Jewish values compel me to stand with those who face violence and oppression."

Police were on scene at 11:30 a.m., but no protesters were yet arrested.

The most recent count shows more than 1,000 people have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that's in control of Gaza.

Jewish Voice for Peace has over 150,000 supporters online, the group claimed, and 40 chapters.