Huge protests await Netanyahu ahead of his address to US Congress

Protesters gather near the US Capitol to demand ceasefire in Gaza. (File photo)

Thousands of protesters plan to take to the streets in Washington and across the United States as the head of the Israeli regime Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address Congress on July 24.

Netanyahu will be in Washington on Wednesday for an address to a joint meeting of Congress. He is also scheduled to meet President Joe Biden on Monday.

His arrival in Washington is expected to spark massive protests as people in the US are outraged that Netanyahu has been invited to speak to Congress, the Washington Post reported citing a protest organizer.

“We consider it a disgrace that Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited to speak to both houses of Congress,” said Brian Becker, the executive director of the ANSWER Coalition.

About 5,000 people are estimated to attend only one gathering in Washington on the day of Netanyahu’s address, according to a permit application submitted to the National Park Service.

People, Becker said, will take part in several demonstrations with varying demands, including a cease-fire in Gaza, an end to Washington's military aid to Israel.

US Capitol Police have “been working around-the-clock with our federal, state and local partners” to prepare for Netanyahu’s visit, according to a statement.

Capitol Police said it plans to add more officers as they expect huge crowds upon the arrival of Netanyahu in Washington.

 

“We anticipate a large number of demonstrators to show up,” Capitol Police said in the statement.

The agency said it is working with federal law enforcement partners to monitor the demonstrations, but it refused to reveal specific measures they are taking.

Netanyahu’s visit to Washington and his speech before Congress was not even met with a unanimous approval among Democrats, some of whom have vowed to boycott the speech, over the regime’s hostiles in the Gaza Strip. Many in the party say Netanyahu has become an obstacle to a ceasefire in Gaza.

Observers say Netanyahu’s upcoming speech will likely be contentious if he fails to close a deal with the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas to end the war in Gaza before he travels to Washington.

Nearly 60 members of the Democratic Party skipped Netanyahu’s address to Congress back in 2015.

Many believe now that the tally of them skipping his speech on Wednesdays could be even higher.