Police in San Francisco have detained 70 pro-Palestinian activists after they occupied the Israeli consulate in the US city, in protest against the Jewish state’s military operation in Gaza.

In a post on Instagram, a group named the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network claimed that 100 people had participated in the demonstration on Monday, which saw activists stage a sit-in in the lobby of the building that houses the Israeli diplomatic mission.

Activists carried placards and unfurled several banners inside the building, reading:“Committing a genocide makes Jews less safe” and “Not in my name!” They also chanted slogans calling for an end to any financial assistance to the Israeli government, as reported by several local media outlets.

One protester told the San Francisco Chronicle that the sit-in was necessary because “these kind of devastating and catastrophic times of genocide require strong action.” Activists told reporters that they planned to occupy the consulate until they were “forcibly” removed.