All eyes are on Capitol Hill on July 24, 2024, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing a joint session of Congress. House Republicans invited the world leader to speak as the war between Israel and Hamas rages on.
As a result of the visit, several road closures and parking restrictions have been in place for several days, and thousands of protesters -- from both sides -- are making their voices heard.
By noon, a pro-Palestinian protest had already closed down at least four blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue, right outside the Capitol. Six intersections around the Capitol are completely blocked off with ongoing demonstrations.
"It is a slap in the face for this administration and for both parties to be hosting someone who is wanted by the international criminal courts for the role that he's played in the massacre of Palestian people in Gaza," Kaleem Hawa, an organizer of the Palestinian Youth Movement, said. "Our responsibility today is to show mass grassroots anger at this administration's ongoing funding and arming of this genocide."
The crowd appeared to be a diverse group made up of people with Palestinian roots, members of the Jewish community and others who say they are outraged at what's going on in Gaza.
"I want to make clear that Netyanhu when he stands up in Congress does not represent all Jews, and certainly he does not speak in the name of the Jewish relgion," said Rabbi Dovid Feldman with Jews United Against Zionism. "It is that religion that he refuses to follow, that he choses to misuse to justify all that he stands for."
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