(PartiallyPolitics.com) – The Israeli Prime Minister was greeted by protesters outside and inside the Capitol building on his visit to Washington, D.C.
Six people were arrested and charged inside the U.S. Capitol building for disrupting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech.
On Wednesday, as Netanyahu was delivering his address before Congress, several protestors wore shirts stating, “SEAL THE DEAL NOW,” a plea to Netanyahu to broker a hostage and cease-fire deal with the terrorist organization Hamas.
In a statement about the first five arrests, Capitol Police spokesperson Brianna Burch stated that “Five people in the House gallery” had “disrupted the Address during the Joint Meeting.”
Burch added that all the protesters “were immediately removed from the Gallery” and subsequently arrested, adding that “Disrupting the Congress and demonstrating in Congressional Buildings” violates the law.
Washington, D.C.’s local law states it is illegal for anyone to “parade, demonstrate, or picket” in any of the Capitol Buildings.
In his much-anticipated address to Congress, Netanyahu vowed “total victory,” against Hamas while condemning Americans opposing the war in Gaza.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s address was also mired by dozens of Democratic lawmakers boycotting, as thousands more gathered outside to protest in favor of ending the Israel-Hamas war that has resulted in a humanitarian crisis.
The speech, given during Netanyahu’s first visit abroad since the war started last October, suggests the Israeli Prime Minister doesn’t intend to broker a peace deal. It also indicates that there has been little progress in the months the U.S. has led mediation regarding the cease-fire and hostage release.
Copyright 2024, PartiallyPolitics.com
