Netanyahu’s arrival in Washington triggered protests by thousands. Read about the demonstration and its key moments.
As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of the US Congress, Jewish Americans and thousands of other individuals joined hands to protest in Washington on Wednesday.
As Netanyahu was set to speak, they arrived at Capitol Hill, where the US government resides. Their chant of “Free, Free Palestine” echoed through the streets as a few attempted to barricade them.
The police, clad in gas masks, prevented the group of protesters that demanded an end to the conflict responsible for over 39,000 Palestinian deaths from nearing the Capitol building.
The entrances to the complex were encircled by towering steel barriers, and scores of security officers on foot, bicycles, or accompanied by dogs patrolled the area.
In a spontaneous move, a Jewish organization rallied numerous demonstrators to hold a sit-in at a government office building overnight and shouted the words, “This doesn’t reflect our beliefs.”
As the Prime Minister arrived at Capitol Hill in the afternoon for a speech arranged weeks earlier and initiated by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, he was welcomed warmly.
Zaid Khatib, a demonstrator, expressed his belief that individuals are infuriated by the audacity of the United States government to not only fail in holding Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for months of genocide but also extend an open invitation to him.
Protesters held up banners that read “Benjamin Netanyahu, Wanted War Criminal” and called for his apprehension in response to the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court’s plea made back in May.
A protester from Maryland emphasized the importance of demonstrating that not all American citizens endorse the government’s Israel-related policies, as they participated in the rally.
Michael Prentice expressed that the elected officials’ policies are not supported and that we have an administration disconnected from the people.
It is crucial to demonstrate and make clear that the American people do not approve of our policies, in order for us to effectively showcase this sentiment towards the rest of world.
Numerous well-known Democratic legislators within Congress chose to boycott Netanyahu’s speech, citing their discontent with Israel’s use of military force in Gaza and the subsequent loss of innocent lives and humanitarian hardship.
The foremost individual who was missing sat at the back. Despite being the Senate president and conventionally seated behind any prominent speaker, Vice President Kamala Harris stated that a voyage planned well in advance would prevent her attendance.
