(WASHINGTON) – Hundreds of protesters gathered Wednesday within sight of the Capitol building, denouncing Israel’s war in Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hours before he addressed members of Congress.
Protesters carrying signs that said “arrest Netanyahu” and “end all US aid to Israel” chanted “Free Palestine, free”, a day after a demonstration at a Congress building that ended with multiple arrests.
Several protesters erected a large effigy of Netanyahu with devil horns and blood dripping from his mouth. Police along Pennsylvania Avenue led away several protesters who were sitting in the street.
Protest leaders said six intersections leading to the Capitol were “claimed by the Palestinian people.” Organizers had said in advance that they would try to block Netanyahu’s path to the building.
See more information: Column: Netanyahu does not speak on behalf of Israel
Zeina Hutchinson, director of development at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, read the names of several Palestinian journalists killed by the Israeli military.
“We protest against this homicidal maniac, against his supporters and enablers,” she shouted from the stage. “And we demand your arrest.”
Some of the demonstrations condemned Israel, but others expressed support while pressing Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire agreement in the war with Hamas and to bring home hostages still held by the militant group.
Capitol Police said about 200 people were arrested Tuesday on charges stemming from the protest at the Cannon House Office Building. Jewish Voice for Peace said many more than that were arrested, including rabbis.
Police significantly increased security around the Capitol and closed several roads for most of the week. Workers erected a black metal fence around the White House on Wednesday morning.
Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside Netanyahu’s hotel on Monday night after his arrival in Washington, and on Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of demonstrators held a flashmob-style protest at the Cannon Building, which houses member offices. of the Chamber.
Organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, protesters wearing red T-shirts that read “Not in our name” occupied the building’s rotunda, sat on the floor, unfurled signs and chanted “Let Gaza live!”
See more information: Column: It’s time to rethink the US-Israel ‘special relationship’
After about half an hour of applause and chants from protesters, Capitol Police officers issued several warnings and began arresting protesters – tying their hands with cable ties and leading them away one by one.
“I’m the daughter of Holocaust survivors and I know what a Holocaust is like,” said Jane Hirschmann, a native of Saugerties, New York, who drove to the protest with her two daughters – both of whom were arrested. “When we say ‘Never again,’ we mean never to anyone.”
Protesters have directed much of their anger at the Biden administration, demanding that the president immediately cease all arms shipments to Israel.
“We are not focusing on Netanyahu. He is just a symptom,” said Hirschmann. “But how can (Biden) call for a ceasefire when he sends them bombs and planes?”
Mitchell Rivard, chief of staff for Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., said his office asked the Capitol Police to intervene after protesters “became disruptive, violently banging on office doors, shouting loudly and trying to force entry in the office. ”
Kildee later told the Associated Press he was confused why his office was targeted, given that he had voted against a massive supplemental military aid package to Israel earlier this year.
See more information: How US policy on Gaza could change under Kamala Harris – or Donald Trump
Families of some of the remaining hostages held a protest vigil Tuesday night on the National Mall, demanding that Netanyahu reach a deal with Hamas and bring home the estimated 120 remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza.
About 150 people wearing yellow t-shirts that read “Seal the Deal NOW!” they shouted “Bring them home” and heard testimonies from relatives and former hostages. Protesters cheered when Biden’s name was mentioned, but several criticized Netanyahu – known by the nickname “Bibi” – for believing he was dragging his feet or playing hardball on a proposed ceasefire agreement that would return all hostages. .
“I’m begging Bibi – there’s a deal at stake and you have to accept it,” said Aviva Siegel, 63, who spent 51 days in captivity and whose husband, Keith, remains a hostage. “I want Bibi to look me in the eye and tell me one thing: that Keith is coming home.”
Biden and Netanyahu are expected to meet on Thursday, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the White House announcement. Vice President Kamala Harris will also meet with Netanyahu separately that day.
Harris, as Senate president, would normally sit behind foreign leaders speaking to Congress, but she will be absent Wednesday on a trip to Indianapolis scheduled before Biden withdraws his re-election bid, making her the likely Democratic presidential candidate.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he would meet with Netanyahu on Friday.
___
Associated Press writers Stephen Groves, Farnoush Amiri and Ellen Knickmeyer contributed to this report.
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
