Protesters pepper sprayed at rally over Benjamin Netanyahu’s US Congress speech

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Key Points
  • Thousands protested a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the US Capitol.
  • More than 50 Democrats boycotted the speech due to the killing of civilians and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
  • Inside Congress, Netanyahu labelled the protesters as “useful idiots” for Israel’s adversaries.
Police used pepper spray on some of the thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters who gathered outside the US Capitol on Wednesday while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Congress.
The large crowd descended on Washington, chanting “Free, Free Palestine” as some tried to block streets ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech.

Police wearing gas masks blocked the crowd, which was calling for an end to the war that has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians, from getting closer to the Capitol.

Protesters carried signs with messages such as “Stop arming, Israel” rallied near the Capitol before marching toward the building.

Protests were peaceful for the first few hours until about half an hour before the speech when demonstrators began a march and faced a blockade from police who used pepper spray, injuring some protesters.

Benjamin Netanyahu on Captiol Hill - Washington

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called protesters “useful idiots” at an address to US Congress in Washington. Source: ABACA / Gripas Yuri / ABACA / PA

US Capitol Police said in a post on X that some members of the crowd became “violent” and “failed to obey” orders to move back from the police line.

Members of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish group carried Palestinian flags and signs reading “Free Palestine” and “Anti-Zionism is not antisemitism,” while a group of younger protesters danced and carried large banners reading “Stop Arming Israel” and “Stop War Crimes in Gaza.”

There were banners declaring the Israeli leader a “Wanted War Criminal” in reference to an arrest warrant sought by International Criminal Court prosecutors.
The ICC prosecutors say there are reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as well as Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Al-Masri and Ismail Haniyeh, bear criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Netanyahu vehemently denies these allegations.

Inside Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is ready to press forward with Israel’s war in Gaza until he achieves “total victory.”
He lauded US-Israeli unity and praised President Joe Biden in his speech, while condemning those demonstrating outside as “useful idiots” for Israel’s adversaries.

Just as Netanyahu delivered the quote, US Democratic Representative and Palestinian American woman Rashida Tlaib held a sign reading “war criminal”, then turning to the back of the sign which read “guilty of genocide”.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu addresses joint meeting of US Congress in Washington, DC	

Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib is the first Palestinian American woman to serve in Congress and has been a loud advocate on behalf of Palestinians. Source: EPA / Michael Reynolds / EPA

More than 50 Democrats and political independent Bernie Sanders boycotted Netanyahu’s speech, expressing dismay over the killing of civilians and the humanitarian crisis from Israel’s campaign in Gaza.

The most notable absence was right behind him: Vice President Kamala Harris, who serves as president of the Senate, said a long-scheduled trip kept her from attending.

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