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Thousands of protesters poured into Washington on Wednesday to demonstrate against the Israel-Gaza war and a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who addressed the US Congress in a contentious appearance that dozens of legislators boycotted.
Carrying signs with messages such as “arrest Netanyahu” and “end all US aid to Israel”, throngs of the demonstrators began marching towards the Capitol, where he tried to bolster US support for his country’s fight against Hamas.
Authorities erected tall steel fences around the Capitol, cutting off access for several blocks.
After blocking a nearby intersection, protesters repeatedly chanted, “Shut it down” and “Bibi, Bibi, we’re not done", referring to Mr Netanyahu by his nickname.
Police officers used pepper spray and noise grenades to disperse some sections of the crowd.
“We're being pepper-sprayed by people who are supposed to be protecting us, who should be arresting Benjamin Netanyahu, and they're pepper-spraying us, they're treating us like the criminal,” Kei Pritzker, a journalist who was covering the event, told The National, his eyes swollen shut.
The crowd of thousands wound their way around the Capitol Hill district of Washington and then gathered at the city's train terminus, Union Station, just a few hundred metres from where Mr Netanyahu was addressing Congress.
The crowd ignited colourful smoke devices and managed to take down two US flags that were flying in front of the Beaux-art train station. They replaced them with Palestinian flags.
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A group of people hold signs and Palestinian flags on the day Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, on July 24, 2024. Reuters -
Mr Netanyahu's speech to Congress will test whether Democrats can sustain their newfound unity over Vice President Kamala Harris despite searing divisions over Middle East policy. Bloomberg -
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather on the National Mall grounds with the US Capitol in view. Reuters -
Thousands gathered in Washington to protest against Mr Netanyahu's visit to the Capitol. AFP -
People held signs calling for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza, and for the end of US aid to Israel. AFP -
Ultra-orthodox Jewish people also participated in the pro-Palestinian protest near the US Capitol. AFP -
Washington Metropolitan Police clear demonstrators from blocking traffic. AP -
Jewish protesters pray to end the war in Gaza. EPA -
Mr Netanyahu's address to a joint meeting of the US Congress comes amid a close US presidential election and as anger grows over Israel's actions in Gaza. EPA
Police pushed their way through the crowd and apprehended one of the demonstrators who took down the US flag. They then forcibly marched him back to their flanks as they shoved the crowd aside.
Hundreds of those demonstrating were Jewish Americans furious at Mr Netanyahu over his inability to secure the release of hostages who were seized by Hamas and other militant groups on October 7.
Several said he has extended the war to protect his own political future.
Nirit Raviv, an Israeli-American clinical psychologist, said she loves Israel but fears for its future if Mr Netanyahu stays in power.
“Under Bibi, Israel is not going to exist,” Ms Raviv told The National.
“Bibi abandoned security, he abandoned the economy, he abandoned education, he abandoned his people. The only thing that really drives him is his own interest.
"We are here to make sure that the interest of Israel the country, the people, the democracy are being taken care of.”
Imad Mohamed, an engineer visiting from Texas, said the US should “stand for justice”.
“If you want to have a peace in the Middle East, you need to have actually a peace which is built on justice, nothing else," Mr Mohamed said.
"I don't think that Netanyahu and his gang is actually supporting any just cause that will lead to any sustainable peace."
Before Mr Netanyahu's address, hundreds of activists from anti-war group Jewish Voice for Peace entered a building near the US Capitol on Tuesday.
The group said more than 300 people, most of whom had been wearing red T-shirts demanding that the US stop arming Israel, had been arrested.
“I just want to show solidarity with the Palestinian people. Anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism,” said Julia Glazer, who was wearing a red shirt that read “Not in my nme”.
Ms Glazer said she has been against the war from the very beginning.
Another Israeli American, Benny Chukrun, took the day off to go to Wednesday's rally.
Mr Chukrun echoed the sentiment of others at the demonstration that Mr Netanyahu was stalling on ceasefire and hostage release talks.
“The reason is, the longer the war goes, [it] plays to his political future,” he said.
“We're here to show the world that Mr Netanyahu, while he's speaking in Congress, he doesn't have the entire Israeli people behind him.”
President Joe Biden is expected to meet Mr Netanyahu on Thursday. Vice President Kamala Harris will also meet him separately that day.
