Palestinian Activists, Once Again, Occupy Land That Isn’t Theirs: Tony Blinken’s Front Lawn

This land is (not) your land, this land is (not) my land

In a tale as old as time (well, at least as old as Israel’s creation in 1948), Palestinians and their supporters have moved into land they don’t own, have never owned, and have zero claim to–and are trying to make it their own.

This time, it’s not happening to the State of Israel. It’s happening here, to America’s Secretary of State, Tony Blinken.

I first noticed this when I drove home on Sunday. It was unclear to me why a cop car was parked on the side of the road with its lights on, then I saw a series of tents and people waving Palestinian flags. Surely this must be just a weekend activity. Well, to test this theory, I went out of my way to drive past it today and saw the same sight once again. 

Flashing signs read “no horn blowing in road way,” and seven or so tents are set up on both sides of the road–so these Palestinian activists are not only occupying Blinken’s property, but also the lawn of whoever has the misfortune of living across the street from him!

Blinken’s home, which is worth just shy of $5 million, is a 9 bedroom, 9.5 bathroom mansion in one of the swankier parts of McLean, Virginia–an area that is already notoriously swanky. A listing from five years ago reads:

Nestled amidst the notable homes of McLean~s ~Gold Coast~, this custom-designed stunner transforms from fortress-like in front to Eden-like in the rear. Over 10,000sf include 9 BRs, 7.5BAs with 2 guest apartments. Walls of windows, stained glass, and contemporary lighting are brilliantly incorporated. Verdant foliage surrounds a spectacular pool and outdoor living-dining spaces. A MUST SEE!

Their signs are predictably deranged and uncreative. “A war criminal lives here,” one reads. “Bloody Blinken, Secretary of Genocide,” another one proclaims. At around 10pm in the cold, I saw three activists standing, waving Palestinian flags. This time, a cop car was there, but it had its lights off.

How have these people not been evicted for trespassing? And how are Blinken’s neighbors okay with this?