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Sunday, November 17, 2024

Netanyahu faces protests, boycott in Washington

The Israeli prime minister was in the US for a record fourth speech to Congress

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been greeted by crows of pro-Palestinian protesters on the streets of Washington DC, as he arrived to ask for more support from the US Congress.

Wednesday’s address is Netanyahu’s fourth before the US lawmakers, surpassing the previous historic record of three speeches by British leader Winston Churchill.

Read more: Netanyahu requests meeting with Trump – Politico

Capitol Hill was fortified ahead of the event, with dozens of Washington streets closed and patrolled by heavily armed police, some brought in from other jurisdictions.

‘Free Palestine,’ ‘Stop War Crimes in Gaza,’ ‘End All Aid to Israel’ and ‘War Criminal’ were just some of the signs carried by protesters, who picketed the Capitol, the White House, and the Watergate Hotel, where Netanyahu was reportedly staying.

“Netanyahu come outside, we’re arresting you for genocide!” chanted one group of demonstrators.

Read more: Israel’s Netanyahu departs for ‘very important’ US trip: PM office

Overnight, groups of activists poured red dye into fountains outside the congressional complex and projected signs on nearby buildings calling the Israeli leader a war criminal.