Thousands protest in Washington against Gaza war during Netanyahu visit

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of anti-Gaza war protesters rallied in Washington on Wednesday to condemn a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, chanting “Free Palestine” as they marched toward the Capitol before police fired tear gas into part of the crowd.

Protesters calling for an end to the war that has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians filled several blocks as they marched through the streets of the nation’s capital waving Palestinian flags and carrying signs with messages like “Arrest Netanyahu” and “Stop US aid to Israel.”

Outside Washington’s Union Station, protesters removed American flags and raised Palestinian ones in their place, to massive cheers from the crowd.

“Bibi, Bibi, we are not finished! The intifada has only just begun!” they shouted, calling Netanyahu by his nickname. “Netanyahu, you cannot hide. You are committing genocide,” chanted other protesters.

Protesters gathered near the Capitol ahead of the march ahead of Netanyahu’s speech to Congress, but were prevented from approaching the building by police. Police said they used pepper spray after some protesters became “violent” and “did not obey” orders to retreat before the police line.

Before Netanyahu’s speech, some protesters tried to block his path to the Capitol but were cleared from the street by police. After being repelled by officers near the Capitol, the demonstrators marched for several blocks in the Capitol Hill neighborhood before gathering in front of the nearby train station.

Nine people were arrested in Washington, including four for assaulting a police officer outside Union Station.

Outside Union Station, at least four protesters were handcuffed and led away by police. Protesters shouted “Let them go” at officers who formed a circle. One person grabbed a police officer’s riot shield and then raised his fists in a fighting stance. One officer was seen snatching a Palestinian flag from a woman and tossing it aside. At least one protester appeared to be overwhelmed by the effects of the tear gas.

Cheers rang out as what appeared to be a papier-mâché portrait of Netanyahu was burned. Protesters sprayed graffiti on a monument to Christopher Columbus, including the words “Hamas is coming” in large red letters. “Free Gaza” was scrawled in green.

Among the protesters was a group of Baltimore artists carrying a massive papier-mâché sculpture depicting President Joe Biden with blood on his hands and devil horns.

Mary Kaileh, a Palestinian who moved to the United States from the Gaza Strip 17 years ago and now lives in Baltimore, said her people have been ignored and mistreated for decades. She is not convinced the protests will change anything enough to convince American politicians to act, but she was not going to stay home.

“I love it, but I don’t see the effects,” he said.

While many of the protesters have condemned Israel, others have expressed support for it and urged Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire agreement in the war with Hamas and to return home the hostages still held by the armed group.

Many American Jews view the war in Gaza as just because it came in response to the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, even though they do not openly support Netanyahu and his policies. Families of hostages taken by Hamas are also protesting, demanding that Netanyahu agree to a ceasefire deal that would free their loved ones.