WASHINGTON, March 2, 2012 (WAFA) - Occupy AIPAC, which calls for a new American foreign policy in the Middle East, Thursday kicked off a week of actions to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the Unites States and his push for war on Iran, according to a statement issued by the group.

Occupy AIPAC kicked off the actions in New York City when a member disrupted US President Barack Obama by shouting: “Use your leadership; no war on Iran.”

Obama replied, “No one’s announced a war, young lady. You’re jumping the gun a bit there.”

Iran will be a key topic of discussion when Obama meets with Netanyahu and when both leaders address the America Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference.

Occupy AIPAC will urge Obama to reject the Israeli push for war on Iran and insist on respect for Palestinian rights.

Events and protests will also draw attention to the role of AIPAC, the most powerful pro-Israel lobby group in Washington, in influencing US policy through its stranglehold over Congress.

“After 10 years of war, the American people need a foreign policy that focuses on diplomacy, but AIPAC takes us down the dangerous path of war with Iran,” Occupy AIPAC organizer Medea Benjamin said.

“We are gathering to demand that our leaders break with AIPAC’s disastrous path of attacking Iran, as well as supporting Israel’s human rights violations and illegal settlements in the West Bank,” said Benjamin.

M.S.