About 100 Democrats are expected to skip Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech on Capitol Hill due to tensions over the ongoing war with the Hamas terrorist group in Gaza.
Notable absences include Vice President Kamala Harris, who would have presided over the Senate but is citing a scheduling conflict, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the second-most powerful Democratic senator, Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also plans to boycott the speech, calling the prime minister a “war criminal” amid the bloody conflict that has led to loss of life in Gaza.
Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is eradicated following the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre in Israel by the terrorist who raped women, killed and beheaded children and took hundreds of Israelis hostage, including several Americans.
Police have estimated that up to 10,000 protesters will descend on Capitol Hill today to call for an end to the “genocide” in Gaza and demand a ceasefire.
Due to security concerns and a dwindling number of U.S. Capitol Police officers, more than 200 New York City Police Department officers were sent to Washington, DC.
Police have estimated that up to 10,000 protesters will descend on the Capitol today.
On Tuesday, more than 200 pro-Gaza protesters were arrested at the Cannon House office building.
A Pelosi spokesman said Wednesday she would participate in a “members’ meeting with Israeli citizens whose families have suffered in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attack and kidnappings on October 7.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told lawmakers there will be “an increased police presence around the Capitol complex and in the House Chamber.”
He went on to warn that he would implement a “zero tolerance policy for disturbances in the building.”
“Should any disturbance occur, the Sergeant at Arms and Capitol Police will remove offending visitors from the gallery and subject them to arrest,” Johnson said in a letter this week.
Netanyahu said his speech would aim to “anchor the bipartisan support that is so important for Israel.”
On Tuesday, more than 200 pro-Gaza protesters were arrested at the Cannon House office building.
There are plans for thousands more to march down the National Mall to the Capitol today ahead of Netanyahu’s speech at 2 p.m. ET.
A group of pro-Palestinian activists held a noisy demonstration in front of the Watergate Hotel.
Protest signs against Benjamin Netanyahu are seen near the Capitol
There are plans for thousands more people to march along the National Mall to the Capitol today ahead of Netanyahu’s speech at 2 p.m. ET.
Stages and audio equipment are already set up for pro-Gaza speeches and rallies hours before his address.
Dozens of pre-made signs denouncing Netanyahu and Israel were placed in the main protest area and were to be picked up by protesters.
As the crowd began to grow ahead of the prime minister’s speech, protesters blocks from the Capitol began chanting “from the river to the sea” and “there is only one solution, the intifada revolution” – two common anti-Israel refrains.
Videos on social media even show protesters parked outside the local hotel where Netanyahu is staying, meaning demonstrations against him have been almost constant throughout Wednesday.
The prime minister is expected to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris separately on Thursday.
He will also travel to Mar-a-Lago on Friday to meet with former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee.
