Hundreds of protesters gathered in Washington, DC, to voice their opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit and Israel’s actions in Gaza. The demonstrations took place near the Capitol building, where Netanyahu was set to address Congress.
Protesters carried signs with messages like “arrest Netanyahu” and “end all US aid to Israel,” and chanted “Free, free Palestine.”
The protest followed a sit-in at a congressional office building that led to several arrests. Demonstrators even erected a large effigy of Netanyahu with devil horns and blood dripping from its mouth. Police had to remove some protesters who were sitting in the street.
Zeina Hutchinson from the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee read out names of Palestinian journalists killed by the Israeli military, calling Netanyahu a “homicidal maniac” and demanding his arrest.
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While some protesters condemned Israel outright, others called for a cease-fire and urged Netanyahu to negotiate with Hamas to secure the release of hostages held by the militant group.
Around 200 people were arrested during the Tuesday sit-in at the Cannon House Office Building. The protest was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, and among those arrested were several rabbis. Protesters chanted “Let Gaza Live!” and wore red T-shirts reading “Not In Our Name.”
One protester, Jane Hirschmann, highlighted the personal impact of the demonstrations. She is the daughter of Holocaust survivors and expressed her outrage at the ongoing violence. “When we say ‘Never Again,’ we mean never for anybody,” she said.
The protests also targeted the Biden administration, with demonstrators demanding an end to US arms shipments to Israel. Hirschmann criticized Biden, saying, “How can he be calling for a cease-fire when he’s sending them bombs and planes?”
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Capitol Police were called to intervene when protesters at Representative Dan Kildee’s office became disruptive. Kildee, who had voted against a military aid package to Israel, expressed confusion about why his office was targeted.
Families of hostages held in Gaza also held a vigil on the National Mall, urging Netanyahu to secure their release. They criticized Netanyahu for not taking a proposed cease-fire deal that could bring home the hostages.
Aviva Siegel, a former hostage, pleaded for action, asking Netanyahu to ensure her husband’s return.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris will be absent from Netanyahu’s address to Congress due to a prior engagement. Former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he plans to meet with Netanyahu on Friday.
