Anti-Israel protesters swarmed a congressional office building Tuesday, one day before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress — and some reportedly tried to barge their way into a lawmaker’s office.
Cops arrested dozens of demonstrators about 30 minutes into the illegal occupation of the Cannon Building rotunda after the group of rabble-rousers were given a warning, the US Capitol Police wrote on X.
The building was cleared around 5 p.m., the agency said.
Jewish Voice For Peace protestors demonstrate in the Cannon House Office Building rotunda on Capitol Hill on July 23, 2024. Getty ImagesAs hundreds of chanting protesters sat in a circle in the rotunda, officers began ripping signs away from them, video posted by one of the groups protesting shows.
Additional photos and videos posted by Jewish Voice for Peace showed protesters’ arms zip-tied behind their backs as they were led away by authorities.
About 200 people were arrested and charged with crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, Capitol Police said.
The office of Michigan Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee said protesters “violently” beat on office doors, shouted loudly and were “attempting to force entry into the office.”
The demonstrators gathered to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United States. Getty ImagesThe congressman’s office called authorities, and “The US Capitol Police and Sergeant at Arms responded immediately to the incident and have made several arrests,” his spokesperson said.
The occupiers aimed most of their ire at the Biden administration and called on the commander in chief to stop shipping military aid to Israel.
“We’re not focusing on Netanyahu. He’s just a symptom,” said native New Yorker Jane Hirschmann, who is the daughter of Holocaust survivors.
Jewish Voice For Peace protestors are taken into custody. Getty Images
The protestors’ shirts read “stop arming Israel” and “not in our name.” Getty Images“But how can (Biden) be calling for a cease-fire when he’s sending them bombs and planes?”
Netanyahu’s trip to the States has spurred protests and condemnation from several lefty lawmakers who have said won’t attend his speech to Congress set for Wednesday.
There are also plans for Netanyahu to meet with President Biden and then separately with Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday, a US official said.
Netanyahu plans to speak with President Biden and Vice President Harris this week. POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesNetanyahu is also scheduled to meet with former president and 2024 Republican nominee Donald Trump on Friday.
The prime minister has faced immense criticism since Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, leading the Jewish state to launch a devastating military campaign in Gaza.
The family of eight Americans kidnapped into Gaza by Hamas pleaded with lawmakers on Tuesday to press Netanyahu on prioritizing getting the terror group to release more hostages.
With Post wires
