Washington, DC – Hours earlier than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the USA Capitol to ship a speech to Congress, a lady with a blue scarf concealing her face sat alone on a park bench and waved a Palestinian flag close to Union Station in Washington, DC.
“We’ll combat for freedom wherever it’s being denied everywhere in the world. We join with the Palestinians as a result of we’re freedom fighters right here in America,” the lone protester, who requested to stay nameless, informed Al Jazeera on Wednesday.
She was one of many hundreds of protesters who would finally collect throughout the capital metropolis to show towards the Israeli prime minister’s speech.
As US legislators clapped for Netanyahu contained in the domed edifice, activists outdoors referred to as for him to be tried for abuses linked to Israel’s struggle in Gaza. Many argued that Netanyahu is a struggle prison who belongs in jail, not within the halls of Congress.
The demonstrators held effigies of a blood-stained Netanyahu, waved Palestinian flags and chanted “free Palestine” because the Israeli prime minister spoke.
High Republican and Democratic legislators in each the Senate and Home of Representatives invited Netanyahu to talk earlier than the joint session of Congress.
However regardless of the bipartisan present of assist, dozens of lawmakers boycotted the deal with on Wednesday, echoing considerations voiced by the demonstrators.
Irene Ippolito, a protester draped in a crimson keffiyeh, described the congressional management as a “bunch of sycophants” for bringing Netanyahu to Congress.
“We should be out right here. We have to say, ‘Not in our identify’,” Ippolito informed Al Jazeera. “As Americans, now we have to understand that this might not be happening with out our taxpayer {dollars} sending tonnes of weapons to Israel because it slaughters males, ladies and kids in Gaza.”
She added that the atrocities in Gaza are the “most documented genocide in human historical past”.
Safety measures
Protesters like Ippolito braved searing summer time warmth, blocked roads and a heavy police presence as they descended on the positioning of the demonstration, simply west of the Capitol. Some even arrived from throughout the nation.
Because the protest continued, organisers led a march east by means of the Capitol Hill neighbourhood.
Regulation enforcement brokers had cordoned off the Capitol with a metallic fence earlier this week.
However on Wednesday morning, they enlarged the safety perimeter, turning away autos and pedestrians that approached the constructing. Clusters of closely armed officers and safety brokers in riot gear might be seen throughout the world.
Capitol Police stated they deployed pepper spray in direction of activists who had “turn into violent” with out offering additional particulars.
Al Jazeera did witness exchanges of harsh phrases between officers and demonstrators, however no clashes or bodily violence.
Adam Abusalah, an Arab American activist from Dearborn, Michigan, stated it’s a “disgrace” that Netanyahu was invited to talk to Congress.
“It’s a shame that members from each events have invited him to talk right here. It’s a shame that Kamala Harris, the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Social gathering, will meet with him,” Abusalah informed Al Jazeera at an anti-Netanyahu protest close to the Capitol.
“We’re right here to say sufficient is sufficient. As Individuals, we is not going to stand for that.”
Harris — who, as vice chairman, has the ceremonial position of presiding over the Senate — was at an occasion in Indianapolis and didn’t attend Netanyahu’s deal with on the Capitol.
However she is ready to fulfill with him later this week.
The vice chairman is now the doubtless nominee of the Democratic Social gathering after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race.
The Biden administration has authorised greater than $14bn in navy assist to Israel to assist fund the struggle effort whereas providing the US ally diplomatic cowl at worldwide boards.
‘He has no proper to be right here’
A number of the protesters’ anger on Wednesday was directed on the US president. “Biden, Biden you may’t conceal. We cost you with genocide,” they chanted.
Karim, a Palestinian American protester who wished to be recognized by his first identify solely, stated he wouldn’t assist Harris for the presidency after she had served as Biden’s vice chairman.
As an alternative, he stated he would vote for Inexperienced Social gathering candidate Jill Stein, who spoke on the demonstration.
Karim arrived in Washington, DC, on a bus with dozens of demonstrators on Wednesday, and he expressed bewilderment that Netanyahu was invited to talk on the Capitol.
“He has no proper to be right here,” he informed Al Jazeera. “We don’t assist criminals of struggle. We don’t assist genocidal maniacs.”
In his remarks to US lawmakers, Netanyahu defended the Israeli struggle, which has killed greater than 39,000 Palestinians, displaced greater than 80 p.c of Gaza’s inhabitants and introduced the territory to the verge of famine.
He additionally pledged to combat till “complete victory” regardless of US-led efforts to safe a ceasefire deal.
The Israeli prime minister hit out at antiwar protesters within the US, accusing them of siding with Hamas.
“These protesters that stand with them, they need to be ashamed of themselves,” Netanyahu stated.
He additionally referred to as the protesters outdoors the Capitol “Iran’s helpful idiots”, incomes a standing ovation from US legislators.
‘Hitler quantity two’
On the streets of Washington, DC, the demonstrators had nothing however contempt for the Israeli chief. A number of posters in contrast him to Nazi chief Adolf Hitler.
Protester Sarah Bowls stated the highest legislators who invited Netanyahu to the US Capitol needs to be “ashamed” of themselves.
“We needs to be boycotting him. He needs to be arrested. He needs to be at The Hague,” she stated, referring to the Dutch metropolis the place the Worldwide Felony Courtroom (ICC) relies.
ICC prosecutors are searching for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his Protection Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged struggle crimes in Gaza.
Bowls added that she is “sick” of her authorities persevering with to fund and allow “genocide” towards Palestinians.
Jenny Bennett, who travelled from Dayton, Ohio, to affix the demonstration, additionally admonished Netanyahu.
“He’s Hitler quantity two,” Bennett informed Al Jazeera. “This isn’t OK. We’re all equal. It is a genocide, and it wants to finish — now.”
