World
Protests Surround Capitol During Netanyahu’s Congressional Address
As Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu addresses Congress, protests erupt outside the Capitol, highlighting deep divisions over his policies. Discover the reactions, key issues, and the implications of this significant political moment.
Protests Erupt Around the Capitol During Netanyahu’s Speech
As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel addressed a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday afternoon, thousands of protesters from across the nation gathered in the streets surrounding the heavily secured U.S. Capitol. The atmosphere was charged with energy, reminiscent of the heightened security seen during a presidential inauguration or in the aftermath of the January 6th Capitol attack in 2021.
In preparation for the event, starting Tuesday evening, Capitol Police erected a tall chain-link fence encircling the Capitol building and established barricades along the broad avenues leading to it. To bolster security, the Capitol Police called in reinforcements from at least six different law enforcement agencies. Officers from the Baltimore Police, New York City Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security, among others, joined local D.C. police in monitoring the rally scene. Additionally, Amtrak Police and U.S. Park Police were deployed at nearby Union Station.
While the main protest area, located west of the Capitol near the National Gallery of Art, remained peaceful throughout much of the afternoon, tensions escalated as smaller breakaway groups clashed with police near the Capitol and outside Union Station. During these confrontations, demonstrators burned an effigy of Mr. Netanyahu and set fire to an American flag. In total, the Capitol Police and Washington Metropolitan Police made 15 arrests across the city: four near Union Station, five on the National Mall after crossing a police line a few blocks west of the Capitol, and six protesters who disrupted proceedings inside the House galleries.
In the hours leading up to Mr. Netanyahu’s scheduled address, demonstrators rallied around a stage in the primary protest area, situated near the east wing of the National Gallery of Art. Many participants waved Palestinian flags and donned kaffiyehs to express solidarity with the people of Gaza. The crowd carried banners demanding an end to U.S. aid for Israel and a cessation of hostilities. Numerous signs labeled Mr. Netanyahu a war criminal, underscoring the protesters’ strong opposition to his policies and the ongoing conflict.