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On Wednesday, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the U.S. Capitol as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress. The protest, initially peaceful, turned tense when demonstrators clashed with police, who used pepper spray to control the crowd.
The protest highlighted deep divisions within the U.S. over Israel’s actions in Gaza. Several high-profile Democrats, including some who boycotted the speech, criticized the high civilian death toll in Gaza. Protesters displayed banners accusing Netanyahu of war crimes and placed mock coffins draped in Palestinian flags near the Capitol.
The demonstration included speeches from notable figures like Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon, who condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Members of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish group joined the protest, carrying signs supporting Palestinian rights.
The protests are part of a broader wave of U.S. demonstrations against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread displacement. The ongoing conflict was triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7, which killed 1,200 Israelis and took around 250 hostages.
Despite the protests and boycotts, Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions, denying allegations of war crimes. Tight security measures were in place around the Capitol during his speech, including road closures and heavy police presence.