Authorities arrested protesters after disrupting Benjamin Netanyahu’s joint speech to Congress.
Activists unveiled bright yellow T-shirts with the phrase “SEAL THE DEAL NOW” that had previously been hidden behind zip-up jackets and button-down dress shirts.
The protests were silent, but they did not stop the Israeli prime minister from speaking.
House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a warning earlier this week ordering against outbursts during the speech, saying those who do so will be swiftly detained and “subject to arrest.”
Immediately after the outburst, Capitol Police moved in to quickly arrest the protesters and escort them out of the chamber.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill
Pro-Palestinian protesters carry a depiction of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a protest on the day of Netanyahu’s speech
Netanyahu had been talking about the importance of the US-Israel relationship during his speech, highlighting how the close ties between the two have been instrumental in the Jewish nation’s fight against the Palestinian terror group Hamas.
“America and Israel must stand together,” Netanyahu proclaimed, receiving a standing ovation in response.
“When we stick together, one simple thing happens: we win and they lose.”
The leader has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is eradicated following the October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel by the terrorist who raped women, killed and beheaded children and took hundreds of Israelis hostage, including several Americans.
“They killed 1,200 people from 41 countries, including 39 Americans,” he said.
“That’s like 20 September 11s in one day,” he continued, referring to the deadliest terrorist attack on US soil.
She also condemned the protesters for supporting “baby killers” and added that they “should be ashamed of themselves.”
The Israeli leader called pro-Gaza protesters “useful idiots” who are being manipulated by Iran’s leaders.
A very outspoken supporter of the Gaza Squad, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., surprisingly attended the speech.
Donning a keffiyeh, he sat expressionless as he listened to Netanyahu speak.
In an act of defiance, he would occasionally hold up a sign pointing at the Israeli prime minister that read “GUILTY OF GENOCIDE.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., holds a sign as she attends a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint meeting of Congress.
She raised her sign higher depending on the topic Netanyahu was addressing.
On Tuesday, more than 200 pro-Gaza protesters were arrested at the Cannon House office building.
Nearly 100 Democrats are believed to have skipped 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.
Fellow New York Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who recently lost his re-election bid, went so far as to say Netanyahu should be arrested.
“Netanyahu should be arrested, not honored in Congress,” he wrote on X. “Like many of you, I am disgusted.”
Many Democrats in the House remained seated as Netanyahu spoke of rescuing hostages still held by Hamas, including several Americans.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) walk together before a meeting at the U.S. Capitol.
The couple made a brief appearance before the media before the Israeli leader’s speech.
Mark Pocan, a Wisconsin Democrat who will also be absent from the event, wrote Wednesday that he would gladly hand the charges over to Netanyahu himself.
“I only regret that the ICC has not yet issued an arrest warrant for his war crimes, as I would have gladly handed one over to him on the floor of the House,” he wrote.
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.
A group of Republican senators criticized the vice president at a news conference Wednesday afternoon for skipping the joint address, saying her excuse for pending obligations was inappropriate.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, called her absence “shameful” and that she “should be ashamed.”
Police have estimated that up to 10,000 protesters will descend on the Capitol today.
“She doesn’t have a lot of jobs as vice president,” Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., said at the meeting, adding that it was “a shame” that Harris decided not to attend.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., was more direct, calling his absence “a slap in the face.”
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.
Pro-Palestinian protesters prepare cardboard coffins for a protest before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress
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.
A protester carries a sign in front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
Thousands of people gathered before the speech to demonstrate against the Israeli leader.
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.
