Hundreds arrested in anti-Israel protests as Netanyahu was due to address Congress

Hundreds of anti-Israel protesters were arrested in Washington DC on Tuesday evening after entering the Cannon Building, which houses the offices of Congress.

Massive protests are expected following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of the US Congress with arrested demonstrators from the pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice for Peace.

The group said more than 400 people were arrested, but media reports put the number closer to 200.

Hundreds filled the Cannon Rotunda in the Congress building near the U.S. Capitol.

Staff for Representative Dan Kildee, a Democrat from Michigan, called for Capitol Police to intervene after protesters “became disruptive, violently banging on the office doors, shouting loudly and attempting to force their way into the office,” Kildee’s chief of staff Mitchell Rivard said in a statement.

Kildee later told the Related Press that he did not know why he was being targeted, as he had voted against a bill earlier this year that would have provided Israel with massive military aid.

“We told the people who entered the building legally to stop or they would be arrested,” police said in a post by X, clarifying that “demonstrations are not allowed in congressional buildings.”

“They didn’t stop, so we’re arresting them.”

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana urged his colleagues to observe “well-known rules and etiquette” during Netanyahu’s speeches, adding that security measures would be stepped up.

At the same time, demonstrations were held in front of the Capitol to demand the release of Israeli hostages still held in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 massacre.