Thousands of people plan to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress this week in several demonstrations with varying demands, including a cease-fire in the war, the release of hostages taken during Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack and an end to U.S. aid to Israel.
Brian Becker, the national director of the ANSWER Coalition, an organizer of a protest on Wednesday, said demonstrators are outraged that Netanyahu has been invited to speak to Congress and are demanding he be arrested, citing the chief International Criminal Court prosecutor’s announcement in May that he was seeking to charge Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yehiya Sinwar with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“We consider it a disgrace that Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited to speak to both houses of Congress,” Becker said. “We will be protesting in the many, many thousands to say that he should not be welcomed.”
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Middle East conflict
Israel is sending a delegation to resume negotiations after weeks of deadlock over a cease-fire deal in Gaza, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed, as a senior U.S. administration official hailed “a breakthrough on a critical impasse.”
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Organizers estimated 5,000 people will attend that protest — held on the day of Netanyahu’s address — according to a permit application submitted to the National Park Service.
On Tuesday, families of hostages — many traveling from Israel — will gather on the National Mall to share the stories of those taken in the Oct. 7 attack and express hope for their release, said Bar Ben Yaakov and Matan Sivek, an Israeli couple living in the District who are leading advocacy efforts in the United States for families of hostages.
“Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. has added a lot of stress and uncertainty for the families,” Yaakov said. “Many of them, including us, were really hoping he would travel to the U.S. with the good news of having sealed the deal.”
These protests come after weeks of deadlock over a cease-fire deal.
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When and where are the rallies?
About 45 relatives of hostages will gather on the National Mall at 6 p.m. Tuesday and hold posters of the hostages still being held and demand their release.
On Wednesday, there are several demonstrations planned:
- At 10 a.m. in the park south of Union Station between First Street and Delaware Avenue NE, a Jewish group — T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights — is organizing a morning prayer to end the war and release all hostages.
- At 11 a.m., thousands are expected to gather at Third Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue to demand Netanyahu be arrested. Demonstrators will loop around the perimeter of the U.S. Capitol holding a red banner as a symbolic “red line” against the war in Gaza. Protesters will be traveling on buses from several states, including Maine, Indiana, North Carolina and Georgia.
- At noon, UnXeptable, a grass-roots organization of Israeli expatriates, is holding a rally at the Upper Senate Park to express support for their home country, while criticizing Netanyahu. Offir Gutelzon, a founder of UnXeptable who is traveling from Palo Alto, Calif., for the protest, said that those planning to gather “both love Israel and … believe that what Netanyahu is doing to the hostages and most of the Israelis is wrong.”
- At 1 p.m., there will be a “Peace & Justice Bloc” of Palestinians, Israelis, Jews, Arabs and allies gathering near the Capitol to demand a cease-fire.
- At 1 p.m., there will be a rally organized by the Socialist Equality Party, International Youth and Students for Social Equality, and International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees on the National Mall between Third and Fourth streets SW.
- From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., there will be a protest featuring go-go music at Union Station called “GoGo for Gaza.”
What will be the security presence?
U.S. Capitol Police have “been working around the clock with our federal, state and local partners” to prepare for Netanyahu’s visit, according to a statement. Although Capitol Police declined to share specific measures they are taking to accommodate the expected crowds, the agency did say it plans to add more officers, including those from outside agencies.
“We anticipate a large number of demonstrators to show up,” Capitol Police said in the statement.
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D.C. police spokesman Paris Lewbel said in a statement that while there are no known threats, the agency is working with federal law enforcement partners to monitor the demonstrations.
Will there be street closures?
On Monday morning, D.C. police announced street closures and parking restrictions through Saturday. Follow @DCPoliceTraffic on X for the most up-to-date information.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
