# July 2024 protests against Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, D.C.

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Over the span of two days in July 2024, a series of protests against the United States' involvement in the Israel–Hamas war occurred in Washington D.C. The protests coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the United States and giving a speech to a joint session of the United States Congress. 23 people in total were arrested by police.

## Protests

On 23 July, hundreds of Jewish Voice for Peace protestors held a sit-in protest inside the United States Capitol; 400 of these protestors were arrested.
On 24 July 2024, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington, D.C., to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the United States and his joint address made in Congress. The main demonstration was organized by the ANSWER Coalition, the Palestinian Youth Movement, the People's Forum, and the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, among other groups. Members of Neturei Karta, an anti-Zionist Jewish sect, also participated.
Prior to the speech, groups of protesters demonstrated near the Capitol before police pushed them away using pepper spray after they reported that sections of the crowd grew violent while failing to obey police orders. Many of the protesters turned away from the Capitol would gather in front of Union Station to demonstrate. Six intersections leading to the Capitol were blocked by protestors attempting to block Netanyahu's route. At least four protesters were apprehended by police, with one officer taking and throwing aside a Palestinian flag held by a woman. The United States Capitol Police deployed pepper spray during one instance of the crowd "starting to become violent" and refusing to obey police commands, two protesters were treated for pepper spray but no other injuries were reported. Several American flags were replaced with Palestinian flags at Union Station Plaza and in Columbus Circle, and at least one American flag was burned. Protesters heavily defaced the Freedom Bell outside of Union Station with spray paint and markers, writing messages including "End colonialism", "Hind's Hall", "Fuck America", "Welcome to the Intifada", "Anarchy 2025", and "This is Biden's legacy".
Protesters burned an effigy of Netanyahu, while a papier-mâché effigy of United States President Joe Biden was presented to the group of demonstrators bearing devil horns and bloodied hands, representing his policies said to have enabled and made possible Netanyahu's military actions and war crimes towards the Gaza Strip. Other demonstrators climbed onto the Columbus Fountain near Union Station and used spray paint to write graffiti onto the monument. Writings included large lettering in red spray paint stating "Hamas is coming" and green paint stating "Free Gaza". Other messages written on the sculpture included "Long live the resistance", "All Zionists are bastards", "Fuck Fascism!" and "Free Palestine", as well as several inverted red triangles representing the Palestinian flag. Demonstrators also spray painted several other statues in Columbus Circle with the words "Free Gaza".
A group of pro-Israel but anti-Netanyahu protestors also rallied in the area. Relatives of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during October 7 were forcibly removed from Congress after their attempt at protesting against Netanyahu, and some were arrested.

### Watergate Hotel

Protestors released groups of maggots, mealworms, and crickets into the Watergate Hotel where Netanyahu was staying, including onto a table that he planned to use.

### In the Capitol

Capitol Police made a public statement reporting that they arrested six people who entered the House gallery without permission to disrupt Netanyahu's joint address. Kamala Harris condemned the "despicable acts and dangerous hate-fueled rhetoric" by demonstrators who rioted outside the capitol expressing support for Hamas and burning American flags.