Crowds with Palestinian flags and placards ranging from leftist slogans to Bible verses gathered outside the Capitol with calls for a ceasefire and for Netanyahu's arrest. Prosecutors are seeking a warrant for his arrest at the International Criminal Court.
"The hypocrisy of our politicians today has surpassed all limits," Mo, a 58-year-old protester, told AFP.
Later (on July 24) Netanyahu will address Congress in a high-profile speech to the US government, which has been an unfailing ally of Israel in its war against Hamas.
Relations have strained as the civilian death toll in Gaza has risen, leading to protests in the US and increasing criticism from President Joe Biden's administration, although little has changed in terms of US military support.
Protesters called for a ceasefire while criticizing Netanyahu's appearance in the United States.
"Seek peace and pursue it," read one sign, quoting a Bible verse, while others were framed as signs to "hunt down" criminals, with pictures of Netanyahu in place of a photo of a suspect.
"Arrest this war criminal," read another.
"We are horrified by the destruction of the health system in Gaza," Karameh Kuemmerle of the organisation Physicians Against Genocide told AFP.
Karameh Kuemmerle of the organization Physicians Against Genocide.
"And we are here to express our opposition to the criminal Netanyahu coming to our capital and being welcomed by the politicians who sent him weapons to kill children in Gaza," said the doctor, who traveled to Washington from Boston.
Israel has recently stepped up its attacks on Gaza, and Netanyahu insists that only by stepping up military pressure can the hostages be freed and Hamas defeated. | BGNES
