By Hannah Saunders
About 50 protesters took to the Seattle Town Hall on April 19 to protest IOF war criminal and Miss Israel 2021, Noa Cochva, who spoke at an event organized by StandWithUs Northwest titled “Women Warriors — On the Frontlines in Battle and in the Courtroom.” Protesters made a human chain to prevent attendees from entering the building, which led to pushing and shoving by those approaching. Seattle Police officers then ran into the crowd of protesters and made three violent arrests, blasting one person with pepper power at close range directly onto their face, then placing a knee on the back of their neck.
At the beginning of the event, protesters blocked cars from entering the valet parking area, creating a bit of a traffic jam and forcing cars to find parking elsewhere. One driver was Nevet Basker.
Nevet Basker is a member of the greater Seattle community, but openly advocates against the pro-Palestinian cause, which most of us hold dear. On top of being a proud IOF veteran, she describes herself as an educator, public speaker, writer, and policy advisor.
On her website’s page titled ‘Nevet,’ she openly displays a speech she gave in 2009 in support of ‘Operation Cast Lead,’ in which she encouraged attendees of a pro Israel rally in Washington to write to the IOF soldiers “notes of encouragement, support, and solidarity,” or that they could “volunteer on an IDF non-combat base,” writes TtS contributor Evan Gortner.
Cochva lingered near the doorway to film protesters, and blew kisses and flicked her middle finger to protesters through an upstairs window, holding up an Israeli flag.
At the primary building entrance, protesters expressed themselves with chalk art that said “DEATH TO ISRAEL” and “Ari Hoffman said on X to drop a nuclear bomb on Gaza. Still claiming you’re not ‘pro-genocide?’”
Protesters kept shifting from both entrances on either side of the building to chant at attendees and let them know they are not welcome and are supporting genocide. Dressed in their Sunday best, people walking into the event stuck up their middle fingers to hide their face, stuck their tongues out, and smiled heavily. Several attendees got in the faces of protesters yelling back at them. One person splashed what appeared to be cranberry juice in front of attendees as they were entering the building to replicate blood.
When protesters made a human chain, attendees attempted to shove past them, and SPD charged in, pepper powdering people’s faces at close range and tackling them. Those arrested were thrown inside of a police van and taken to the King County Jail, with one yelling to free all Palestinian prisoners. And protesters persevered.
Near the end of the event, nine SPD officers stood between the double-doors of the front entrance, leaving less than a handful of contracted security people outside. On 8th and Seneca, about 20 officers were grouped up, ready to deploy chemical weapons against the crowd. The event was meant to end at 8 p.m., but attendees hid inside until SPD ran at protesters, shoving and kettling them. Propagandist Ari Hoffman stated that there were about 300 people in attendance, but it looked like maybe 100 people exited the building from that entrance at that time.
SPD officers escorted numerous event attendees to their vehicles, including Cochva. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has yet to comment on the event.
What is StandWithUs Northwest and Seattle Town Hall
StandWithUs Northwest is a Mercer Island-based Jewish nonprofit organization that holds speaking opportunities at campuses, churches, synagogues, senior homes, and private venues. It is the chapter of a nationwide effort that promotes Zionism and the Israeli military, using the term “Antisemitism” as a defense mechanism. Furthermore, Seattle Town Hall refused to promote this event on its social media pages and website.
Seattle Town Hall was founded in 1998 as a nonprofit organization, and acts as a hub for the city’s residents, with over 100,000 people attending events at its location annually, according to its website. Events include plays, dances, debates, and others. The Town Hall Association currently operates the venue.
Meanwhile, Cochva will continue her speaking tour in the Pacific Northwest, attending UW’s Red Square from 11 a.m. to 1 pm., and at the University of Oregon the following day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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