Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators fill Washington's streets during Netanyahu visit

Posted

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters converged on Washington on Wednesday to condemn Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit, marching toward the Capitol before police deployed pepper spray on some in the crowd.

Demonstrators calling for an end to the war in Gaza filled several blocks as they weaved through the streets of the nation's capital carrying Palestinian flags and signs. Outside Washington's Union Station, protesters removed American flags and hoisted Palestinian ones in their place to massive cheers in the crowd.

Throngs of demonstrators rallied near the Capitol before starting their march ahead of Netanyahu's joint address to Congress, but police blocked them from getting close to the building. Police said they used pepper spray after some protesters became “violent” and “failed to obey” orders to move back from the police line.

Before Netanyahu's speech, some protesters tried to block his route to the Capitol but were removed from the street by police. After being turned away by officers near the Capitol, protesters wound through the Capitol Hill neighborhood for several blocks before gathering in front of the nearby rail station.

Outside of Union Station, at least four protesters were handcuffed and taken away by police. Protesters shouted, “Let them go!” at officers who formed a circle. One person grabbed at a police officer’s riot shield and then raised his fists in a fighting stance. 

Cheers rang out as a fire burned what appeared to be a papier-mache likeness of Netanyahu. Protesters spray painted graffiti on a monument to Christopher Columbus, including the words, “Hamas is coming” in large red letters.

Many Jewish Americans view the war in Gaza as just because it came in response to the brutal Oct. 7 Hamas attack, even if they don’t outright support Netanyahu and his policies. The families of hostages taken by Hamas are also protesting, demanding Netanyahu agree to a cease-fire deal that would free their loves ones.

Capitol Police said in a post on X that six people who “disrupted” Netanyahu’s address were removed from the House gallery and arrested.

“Disrupting the Congress and demonstrating in the congressional buildings is against the law,” police said.

Police significantly boosted security around the Capitol and closed multiple roads for most of the week. Workers erected a metal fence around the White House on Wednesday morning while tall steel barriers ringed the Capitol.

Dozens of protesters rallied outside Netanyahu’s hotel Monday evening after his arrival in Washington, and on Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of demonstrators staged a flashmob-style protest in the Cannon building, which houses offices of House members.

The Capitol Police said about 200 people were arrested Tuesday on charges stemming from the sit-in at the Cannon building. 

After about a half-hour of protesters' clapping and chanting, officers from the Capitol Police issued several warnings, then began arresting demonstrators — binding their hands with zip ties and leading them away one by one.

Biden and Netanyahu are expected to meet Thursday, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity before a White House announcement. Vice President Kamala Harris will also meet Netanyahu separately that day.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he would meet with Netanyahu on Friday.