Netanyahu's congressional speech sparks protests and political boycotts
- You are not welcome here - chanted the protesters gathered before the US Congress. This is where Benjamin Netanyahu is delivering his speech. According to CNN, more than 50 members of Congress boycotted his address. The police used tear gas and flashbang grenades against protesters outside the Capitol.
- Our world is in upheaval. In the Middle East, Iran’s axis of terror confronts America, Israel and our Arab friends. This is not a clash of civilizations. It’s a clash between barbarism and civilization. For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together. Because when we stand together, something very simple happens: we win, they lose - declared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday evening, Greenwich Time, speaking before the US Congress.
The Israeli Prime Minister then recalled the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, comparing it to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and the terrorist attack on the US on September 11, 2001.
Netanyahu reminded of the fate of the kidnapped hostages, some of whom are still held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israel was "actively engaged in intensive efforts to secure their release," - emphasised the Israeli politician.
He also thanked President Joe Biden for his assistance to Israel, calling him a proud American Zionist.
Protesters poured red dye into one of the fountains and called for the arrest of the Israeli Prime Minister.
The police used flashbang grenades and tear gas
A crowd of protesters gathered outside the Capitol. As CNN describes, the police, shortly before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech in Congress, used "pepper spray and flashbang grenades" - reported the CNN team at the scene.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed with officers when they tried to breach the police barrier. "The crowd failed to obey our order to move back from our police line. We are deploying pepper spray towards anyone trying to break the law and cross that line" - informed the police.
Earlier, about 200 people were arrested during demonstrations in Washington against Netanyahu's visit. - You are not welcome here - shouted the crowd. This is one of many protests accompanying his stay.
Security measures have been reinforced in the US capital. On Wednesday, the Israeli Prime Minister will address Congress, and many Democratic congress members have already announced their boycott.
Some gatherings also have an anti-Israel character and condemn the war being waged by the Jewish state in the Gaza Strip, calling on US authorities not to support Israel. Others are directly targeting Netanyahu and urging him to reach an agreement with Hamas as soon as possible that would lead to the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. As noted by the AP agency, all protests share the common theme of criticising the Israeli Prime Minister.
According to CNN, many Democrats stood but did not applaud when Netanyahu arrived in the chamber. Some did not even stand, and others ceremonially walked out of the chamber just before the speech.
