(Scypre.com) – Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, thousands of protesters gathered in Washington, D.C., to voice their opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit and the ongoing war in Gaza. Demonstrators chanted “Free, free Palestine” as they marched towards the Capitol, only to be met with police using pepper spray on parts of the crowd.
The protestors, rallying against the conflict that has resulted in over 39,000 Palestinian casualties, filled multiple city blocks, waving Palestinian flags and holding signs with messages like “arrest Netanyahu” and “end all U.S. aid to Israel.” The marchers replaced American flags with Palestinian ones at Washington’s Union Station, drawing massive cheers. Chants of “Bibi, Bibi, We’re not done! The intifada has just begun!” and “Netanyahu, you can’t hide. You’re committing genocide” echoed through the streets.
The demonstrators gathered near the Capitol ahead of Netanyahu’s address to Congress, but were prevented by police from getting close to the building. Authorities stated they resorted to pepper spray after some protesters became “violent” and ignored orders to retreat from the police line.
Prior to Netanyahu’s speech, some protesters attempted to block his route to the Capitol but were cleared by police. After being stopped near the Capitol, the protesters marched through the Capitol Hill neighborhood, eventually converging outside Union Station. At this location, at least four protesters were detained by police, sparking chants of “Let them go!” from the crowd. An altercation saw one individual grab a police officer’s riot shield and assume a fighting stance, while another officer was seen discarding a Palestinian flag taken from a woman. The effects of pepper spray incapacitated at least one protester.
Protesters cheered as a fire consumed a papier-mâché effigy of Netanyahu, and graffiti, including “Hamas is coming” in large red letters and “Free Gaza” in green, was spray-painted on a monument to Christopher Columbus. Among the crowd was a group of Baltimore artists showcasing a large papier-mâché sculpture of President Joe Biden with bloodied hands and devil horns.
Mary Kaileh, a Palestinian immigrant from the West Bank who now resides in Baltimore, expressed her frustration at the long-standing neglect and mistreatment of her people. Despite her skepticism about the effectiveness of protests in swaying American politicians, she felt compelled to participate. “I love it, but I don’t see the effects of it,” she remarked.
While many demonstrators criticized Israel, some voiced support for a cease-fire deal between Netanyahu and Hamas to secure the release of hostages. Many Jewish Americans regard the Gaza war as justified due to the brutal Hamas attack on October 7, despite not necessarily endorsing Netanyahu’s policies. Families of hostages held by Hamas also protested, urging Netanyahu to agree to a cease-fire that would free their loved ones.
Capitol Police reported that six individuals who disrupted Netanyahu’s address were removed from the House gallery and arrested. “Disrupting the Congress and demonstrating in the congressional buildings is against the law,” the police stated.
During Netanyahu’s speech, five people wearing yellow T-shirts with the slogan “seal the deal now” were removed from the gallery. The phrase is associated with calls for Netanyahu to negotiate the hostages’ return. These individuals stood to display their message during applause but did not interrupt the speech.
Security around the Capitol was heightened significantly, with multiple road closures and the erection of a metal fence around the White House and steel barriers around the Capitol.
Protests began upon Netanyahu’s arrival on Monday evening, with demonstrators rallying outside his hotel. On Tuesday, hundreds staged a flash mob protest inside the Cannon House Office Building, resulting in about 200 arrests by Capitol Police. Jewish Voice for Peace, the protest organizers, claimed the actual number of arrests was higher, including several rabbis.
The Capitol Police issued warnings before arresting demonstrators, binding their hands with zip ties and leading them away. Families of hostages also held a vigil Tuesday evening on the National Mall, demanding Netanyahu reach an agreement with Hamas to secure the release of approximately 120 Israeli hostages still in Gaza.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden on Thursday, according to a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity. Vice President Kamala Harris is also set to meet with Netanyahu separately. Harris, typically present behind foreign leaders addressing Congress, will be absent due to a pre-scheduled trip to Indianapolis. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he would meet Netanyahu on Friday.