Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to breach the Israeli consulate in Chicago, as part of the ongoing demonstrations against the backdrop of the Democratic National Convention taking place in the city. Law enforcement intervened, preventing the demonstrators from reaching the consulate and detaining several individuals.

The masked far-left protesters outside the Israeli consulate burned Israeli and American flags and called for the violent destruction of the United States, with one demonstrator shouting, "F*ck this country! Burn it down!"

Chicago — "F—k this country! Burn it down!"
Masked far-left DNC protesters outside the Israeli consulate burn an American flag and call for the violent destruction of the United States. pic.twitter.com/FbKv2WVsCk

— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 21, 2024

 In response, the Israeli consulate issued a statement: "A disruptive and vocal minority will not succeed in undermining support for Israel." The consulate also criticized Chicago's mayor for permitting protesters near the premises, contrasting it with the previous day's decision to deny access to about a hundred families of hostages who sought to demonstrate near the convention.

During the evening's proceedings, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer addressed the issue of antisemitism, but primarily in the context of Trump and his supporters. Schumer notably avoided discussing the surge in antisemitism across America following October 7 and the subsequent campus unrest. He stated, "As a Jew elected to the highest office in America, I want all my grandchildren and descendants to live freely, without fear of persecution for their faith. Trump is leading us down a dangerous path with his hatred of minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others."

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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.

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