US Capitol Police arrest 200 people protesting aid for 'Israel'
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US Capitol Police arrested around 200 people protesting US weapons sales to "Israel" inside the rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building.
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US Capitol Police detain demonstrators protesting against the military policies of "Israel" a day before a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the Capitol in Washington, on July 23, 2024. (AP)
The US Capitol Police have reported the arrest of approximately 200 individuals for protesting against the ongoing US support for "Israel", inside the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC.
"Approximately 200 people were arrested for DC. Code § 22–1307 - Crowding, Obstructing, or Incommoding – for demonstrating inside the Cannon House Office Building. Demonstrating inside the Congressional Buildings is against the law," the police said on X on Tuesday.
We are arresting a group that is illegally demonstrating inside the Cannon Rotunda. Demonstrations are not allowed inside the Congressional Buildings. We told the people, who legally entered, to stop or they would be arrested. They did not stop, so we are arresting them. pic.twitter.com/UVhfO9uroo
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) July 23, 2024
The protesters had been told "to stop or they would be arrested," the Capitol Police said in another post, adding that they "did not stop, so we are arresting them."
Protesters zip-tied, escorted out of Capitol upon Netanyahu's visit
Over 400 American Jews protested at the Capitol building on the day after Netanyahu’s arrival and refused to leave, chanting “Arms embargo now," "Stop arming Israel," and other chants protesting the genocide in Gaza.
At the Cannon House Office Building, pro-Palestine demonstrators were zip-tied by police and escorted out of the building.
Pro-Palestinian protesters in Cannon House Office Building are getting escorted out by US Capitol Police
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) July 23, 2024
Much bigger protests expected tomorrow pic.twitter.com/nFuEpXfuPl
There have also been calls for a mass demonstration on Wednesday in rejection of the Israeli prime minister's address.
Capitol Police and the Secret Service were out in larger numbers, upping screening and security for Netanyahu's visit. The Metropolitan Police Department announced an extended series of street closures that would span the majority of the week.
Netanyahu's visit comes as the Secret Service is under fire from both parties for security lapses that led to Donald Trump's assassination attempt. The Secret Service's director, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned on Tuesday due to the shortcomings.
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are set to meet at the White House on Thursday, according to a statement released by Netanyahu's office on Tuesday.
Donald Trump, on the other hand, said that he will meet Netanyahu on Friday at his Palm Beach, Florida, resort.
Trump said on Truth Social on Tuesday, "Looking forward to welcoming Bibi Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida."
