Boston

8 Protesters Arrested at Boston's Israeli Consulate

Eight protesters have been arrested outside of the Israeli Consulate in Boston during a demonstration against Israel's occupation of Gaza Tuesday morning, according to police.

Video from the scene shows protesters sitting down outside of the entrance of the consulate while chanting and linking arms through pipes.

The protest comes amid new allegations of the Israeli military using unlawful force against unarmed Palestinians during mass protests in Gaza last week. The demonstrations, which were held to protest Egypt and Israel's decade-long blockade of Gaza, left 18 Palestinians dead and over 700 wounded. It was the area's deadliest violence since a war four years ago.

On Sunday, Israel's defense minister rejected international calls for an investigation into deadly violence along Gaza's border with Israel, saying troops acted appropriately and fired only at Palestinian protesters who posed a threat.

Later that same day, Pope Francis called for reconciliation in Israel in his Easter message to followers. Human rights groups also spoke out against the Israeli military, accusing the army of using excessive force.

Both the U.N. secretary-general and the European Union's foreign policy chief have urged an investigation into the incident.

In an interview, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Israel would not cooperate with a U.N. inquiry if there were one.

"From the standpoint of the Israeli soldiers, they did what had to be done," Lieberman told Israeli Army Radio. "I think that all of our troops deserve a commendation, and there won't be any inquiry."

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