Netanyahu Faces ‘Day of Rage’ in Washington, Protesters Warn

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters will converge on Washington for a “day of rage” over the war in Gaza as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Congress on Wednesday, organizers have warned.

The announcement follows Netanyahu’s statement that he would “present the truth about our just war” during his first trip outside Israel since the Israel-Hamas conflict began.

Ahmad Abuznaid, executive director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights and a chief organizer, said protesters would “make the statement that war criminals like Netanyahu are not welcome” in the United States.

Netanyahu was invited by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to give his first address to Congress in nine years. Johnson has warned against protests inside the House chamber, saying there would be arrests “if we have to do it.”

However, organizers say the streets will be filled with furious demonstrations.

Reem Assil, a member of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center, said she was traveling from California to protest the deaths of family members and other civilians in the “mass slaughter” in Gaza.

“The idea of the man responsible for these atrocities being allowed to come here channels my rage,” she said. “I’ve lost over 40 members of my family and work through grief every day to remain committed to showing up for my people. This is a huge moment.”

The war in Gaza was sparked when Hamas invaded Israel on October 7 last year, killing approximately 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 Israelis and foreigners. The Hamas-run health ministry says that more than 39,000 Palestinians have since been killed in the Israeli response. Israel denies accusations of war crimes.

Netanyahu is also due to meet President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House, as well as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Jinan Deena, a Palestinian-American from the Washington area, said she and others were “gearing up for a day of rage” against Netanyahu’s visit.

“To know [Netanyahu] is going to be sharing air with us in our own city… it’s like a slap in the face,” she said.

Another organizer from Michigan, who did not give their name, said “more people are willing to get arrested this time” compared to previous protests. More than 300 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested for wrongfully gathering inside and outside the US Capitol complex in October. An estimated 400,000 gathered in Washington to protest against the war in January.

“All the protests have shown a tone of rage, but this time is definitely different,” Ayah, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, . “It is our enemy, our primary enemy, they are inviting into the White House.”

Netanyahu facing pressure at home Netanyahu faces both international and domestic pressure for his handling of the war. His US trip also follows a ruling by the International Court of Justice that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories was “illegal.” Israel rejects the ruling.

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in May applied for arrest warrants for Netanyahu, as well as senior Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed al-Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh, alleging war crimes on both sides. Netanyahu condemned the application as “a complete distortion of reality” that equated Israel to the “mass murderers of Hamas.” Hamas, meanwhile, accused the prosecutor of trying to “equate the victim with the executioner.”

Polling by Israel’s Channel 12 says that 72% of Israelis think Netanyahu should resign over security lapses on October 7 and the failure to free hostages that still remain in the hands of Hamas. Netanyahu will also face protests in the US from Israelis. Maya Roman, whose cousin spent 54 days in captivity after being kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, is among those traveling from Israel.

“By leaving without a signed deal, he makes the hostages and the families feel abandoned,” she said.

Pro-Israel protesters will also be in Washington. Ira Stoll, a Jewish-American who has family in Israel, said he was happy Netanyahu was coming.

“America needs to show it stands with its friends, and Netanyahu is the elected leader of one of our friends,” Stoll, who is not coming, said.