Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed US Congress. Thousands of protesters congregated in the city to deny Netanyahu’s speech, blaming him for war crimes in Gaza.They held statues of Netanyahu and shouted “Free Palestine” while US lawmakers praised him inside Congress.
In spite of bipartisan support for Netanyahu’s address, many lawmakers boycotted it. A protester, Irene Ippolito, censured congressional leaders for supporting Netanyahu and also censured US military aid to Israel. She claimed that the violence in Gaza is heavily documented.
Protesters faced acute security measures, including roadblocks and police presence. Some traveled from across the country to participate. Capitol Police used pepper spray on activists who they said became violent.
Arab American activist Adam Abusalah expressed shame that Netanyahu was invited to speak and censured US leaders for their support. Vice President Kamala Harris, expected to be the Democratic nominee, was also censured in spite of not attending the speech. She plans to encounter with Netanyahu later.
Protesters also targeted President Joe Biden, blaming him of supporting genocide in Gaza. Karim, a Palestinian American, said he wouldn’t support Harris in the presidential race and would vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein instead.
Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions in Gaza, despite the high Palestinian casualties and displacement. He censured US anti war protesters, and called them Iran’s useful idiots, which earned praise from Congress.
Protesters contrast Netanyahu to Hitler and called for his arrest for war crimes. Thousands of protestors censured the US government’s support for Netanyahu and demanded an end to the violence in Gaza.
