Capitol Hill is currently on high alert in anticipation of a day of protest by numerous demonstrators representing a wide coalition of groups expressing opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, who is scheduled to address a joint session of the US Congress. Amid escalating tensions regarding Israel’s 10-and-half-month conflict in Gaza, law enforcement officials have implemented a substantial security operation to secure the US Capitol from potential protestors well ahead of Netanyahu’s scheduled speech at 2pm ET.
Several streets in Washington’s downtown area have been closed to vehicular traffic, and officers experienced in managing large-scale protests have been called in from the New York Police Department. The Capitol building itself has been cordoned off. The timing of Netanyahu’s speech, planned weeks in advance and facilitated by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, is particularly noteworthy amidst the current political landscape in the United States. This event occurs shortly after Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race and less than two weeks following a failed assassination attempt on the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump.
Despite the intense domestic circumstances, the controversy surrounding Netanyahu persists, with some pro-Israel Democrats viewing him as a controversial figure due to his handling of a conflict that has resulted in the deaths of over 39,000 Palestinians.
A violent assault committed by the Palestinian group Hamas in October last year resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians in Israel, with another 250 individuals being held hostage. The presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the upcoming event is expected to be met with protests from a diverse range of predominantly left-wing groups, including some Jewish organizations. Many protesters have traveled from states such as Indiana, Georgia, and Illinois to participate in the demonstration, as reported by the organizers. The main rally is being organized by groups such as Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, Jewish Voice for Peace, Code Pink, the US Palestinian Community Network, the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR), the People’s Forum, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Notable speakers scheduled to address the crowd include Jill Stein, the Green Party presidential candidate, and the actress Susan Sarandon. Protesters intend to publicly call for the arrest of Prime Minister Netanyahu, in accordance with the request made by the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in May. This request was subsequently criticized by President Biden. Ahmad Abuznaid, Executive Director at the USCPR, stated in a press release that if President Biden was truly fit to lead, he would cease funding activities that could be classified as genocide and would hand over Prime Minister Netanyahu to the ICC. In addition to the main protest, separate demonstrations are expected to occur from Israeli groups who are dissatisfied with Netanyahu’s perceived failure to secure the release of more hostages. Pro-Israel counter-protesters are anticipated to also be in attendance.
The protests started on Tuesday following Netanyahu’s arrival in the United States on Monday evening. Members of the Jewish Voice for Peace group occupied the rotunda at the Cannon building, which houses offices for many members of Congress. Law enforcement authorities conducted arrests, resulting in approximately 400 members of the group being detained. Several Democratic members of Congress, including Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who is of Jewish descent, have announced their decision to boycott Netanyahu’s speech. Some have expressed strong disapproval in anticipation of the speech. Sanders remarked on the Senate floor that it would be a historic moment for a war criminal to be granted the honor of addressing a joint session of Congress.
