International Courant
Washington, DC – Hours earlier than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at america Capitol to ship an deal with to Congress, a girl carrying a blue scarf to cover her face sat alone on a park bench and waved a Palestinian flag close to Union Station in Washington, DC.
“We’ll battle for freedom wherever it’s denied on this planet. We really feel linked to the Palestinians as a result of we’re freedom fighters right here in America,” the lone protester, who requested to not be named, instructed Al Jazeera on Wednesday.
She was considered one of 1000’s of demonstrators who ultimately gathered within the capital to protest the Israeli prime minister’s speech.
As U.S. lawmakers contained in the domed constructing applauded Netanyahu, activists outdoors known as for him to be tried for abuses associated to Israel’s warfare in Gaza. Many argued that Netanyahu is a warfare felony who belongs in jail, not within the halls of Congress.
The protesters held effigies of a bloodstained Netanyahu, waved Palestinian flags and chanted “free Palestine” because the Israeli prime minister spoke.
Key Republican and Democratic lawmakers in each the Senate and Home of Representatives invited Netanyahu to talk on the joint session of Congress.
However regardless of bipartisan assist, dozens of lawmakers boycotted Wednesday’s speech, echoing issues raised by protesters.
Irene Ippolito, a protester wearing a purple keffiyeh, described congressional leaders as a “group of lackeys” for bringing Netanyahu into Congress.
“We must be right here. We have to say, ‘Not in our title,’” Ippolito instructed Al Jazeera. “As Americans, we have to understand that this might not occur with out our tax {dollars} sending tons of weapons to Israel whereas it slaughters males, girls and kids in Gaza.”
She added that the atrocities in Gaza are the “most documented genocide in human historical past.”
Security precautions
Protesters like Ippolito braved the scorching summer time warmth, blocking roads and drawing heavy police presence as they descended on the rally web site simply west of the Capitol. Some even got here from throughout the nation.
Because the protest continued, organizers staged a march east by way of the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
Earlier this week, cops cordoned off the Capitol with a metallic fence.
However on Wednesday morning, they expanded the safety perimeter, turning away automobiles and pedestrians approaching the constructing. Swarms of closely armed police and safety guards in riot gear might be seen all through the realm.
Capitol Police stated they used pepper spray towards activists who had turn into “violent,” with out offering additional particulars.
Al Jazeera did see some violent exchanges between officers and protesters, however there have been no confrontations or bodily violence.
Adam Abusalah, an Arab-American activist from Dearborn, Michigan, stated it’s a “shame” that Netanyahu has been invited to talk to Congress.
“It’s a disgrace that members of each events invited him to talk right here. It’s a disgrace that Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, will meet with him,” Abusalah instructed Al Jazeera throughout an anti-Netanyahu protest close to the Capitol.
“We’re right here to say sufficient is sufficient. As Individuals, we won’t tolerate that.”
Protesters march by way of the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Washington, DC, July 24, 2024 (Ali Harb/Al Jazeera)
Harris, who as vp has the ceremonial position of presiding over the Senate, attended an occasion in Indianapolis and didn’t attend Netanyahu’s speech on the Capitol.
However she’s going to meet him later this week.
The vp is now the presumptive Democratic Get together nominee after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race.
The Biden administration has authorized greater than $14 billion in army help to Israel to fund the warfare effort and supply the US ally with diplomatic assist in worldwide boards.
“He has no proper to be right here”
A few of the protesters’ anger on Wednesday was directed on the US president. “Biden, Biden, you’ll be able to’t disguise. We accuse you of genocide,” they chanted.
Karim, a Palestinian-American protester who requested to be recognized solely by his first title, stated he wouldn’t assist Harris for president since she served as Biden’s vp.
As a substitute, he stated he would vote for Inexperienced Get together candidate Jill Stein, who gave a speech on the rally.
Karim arrived in Washington DC on Wednesday on a bus with dozens of protesters and expressed shock that Netanyahu was invited to talk on the Capitol.
“He has no proper to be right here,” he instructed Al Jazeera. “We don’t assist warfare criminals. We don’t assist genocidal maniacs.”
In his deal with to US lawmakers, Netanyahu defended Israel’s warfare, which has killed greater than 39,000 Palestinians, displaced greater than 80 p.c of Gaza’s inhabitants and introduced the area to the brink of famine.
He additionally vowed to battle till “whole victory” regardless of US-led efforts to dealer a ceasefire.
The Israeli prime minister lashed out at anti-war protesters within the US, accusing them of siding with Hamas.
“These protesters who stand with them ought to be ashamed,” Netanyahu stated.
He additionally known as the protesters outdoors the Capitol “the helpful idiots of Iran,” incomes him a standing ovation from US lawmakers.
Protesters maintain a bloodied effigy of Netanyahu simply steps from the US Capitol on July 24 (Ali Harb/Al Jazeera)
‘Hitler quantity two’
On the streets of Washington, DC, protesters had nothing however contempt for the Israeli chief, with a number of posters evaluating him to Nazi chief Adolf Hitler.
Protester Sarah Bowls stated key lawmakers who invited Netanyahu to the US Capitol ought to be “ashamed.”
“We must always boycott him. He ought to be arrested. He ought to be in The Hague,” she stated, referring to the Dutch metropolis the place the Worldwide Felony Courtroom (ICC) is positioned.
ICC prosecutors are in search of arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his Protection Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged warfare crimes in Gaza.
Bowls added that she is “fed up” together with her authorities persevering with to fund and allow “genocide” towards Palestinians.
Jenny Bennett, who traveled to the rally from Dayton, Ohio, additionally admonished Netanyahu.
“He’s Hitler Quantity Two,” Bennett instructed Al Jazeera. “This isn’t okay. We’re all equal. That is genocide and it has to cease — now.”
As US Congress cheered Netanyahu, protesters gathered to sentence him | Information concerning the Israeli-Palestinian battle
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