Protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress turned violent on Wednesday, with demonstrators burning American flags, attempting to breach police lines, and vandalizing public property near the US Capitol.
If you burn an American flag in America, nothing will happen to you...
But if you burn a rainbow flag... you'll be investigated for a hate crime. pic.twitter.com/0qx3Hex8bQ
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) July 25, 2024
The New York Post reports that thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Washington, DC, just blocks from where Netanyahu was speaking to a joint session of Congress. The demonstration quickly escalated, with rioters pushing against security barriers and forcing Capitol Police to deploy pepper spray and other defensive measures.
According to the Post, protesters tore down American flags flying outside Union Station, replacing them with Palestinian flags before setting the US flags ablaze. Video footage shared on social media showed a man attempting to rescue a burning American flag from the center of the protest, nearly being tackled as others shouted, "Get him!"
The chaos extended beyond flag burning, with demonstrators vandalizing monuments and public spaces. The Christopher Columbus statue outside Union Station was defaced with graffiti reading "Hamas is coming" and "Free Palestine." Other spray-painted messages included expletives directed at Israel.
Inside the Capitol, six people were arrested for unlawful conduct during Netanyahu's speech, Capitol Police reported. Netanyahu's address marked his fourth speech to Congress, setting a new record. He is scheduled to meet with President Biden on Thursday and former President Trump on Friday.
The protests began peacefully earlier in the day, with speakers including Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein addressing the crowd. Demonstrators carried signs accusing Israel of "genocide" in Gaza and constructed large effigies of Netanyahu with hands dripping red paint.
The situation escalated as Netanyahu's speech approached, with some protesters attempting to break through the security perimeter established around the Capitol.
The unrest wasn't limited to the streets. Overnight, anti-Israel activists reportedly dyed a city fountain near the Capitol blood-red and released insects at the Watergate Hotel where the Israeli delegation was staying.
