Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington has been met with significant protests, particularly in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the United States' continued military support for Israel.

Axar.az reports that demonstrators organized by Jewish Voice for Peace staged a sit-in at a congressional office building, with many wearing red T-shirts reading "Not In Our Name." The protesters, including Holocaust survivors and their descendants, demanded an immediate cessation of arms shipments to Israel by the Biden administration. Capitol Police eventually intervened, arresting several demonstrators, including over a dozen rabbis, for disruptive behavior.

Parallel to these protests, families of hostages held by Hamas organized a vigil on the National Mall, urging Netanyahu to secure the release of approximately 120 Israeli hostages by agreeing to a cease-fire deal. The participants, wearing yellow shirts, expressed frustration with Netanyahu's perceived hesitation in negotiating the hostages' release. As Netanyahu prepares to address Congress, heightened security measures have been implemented around the Capitol. High-profile meetings with U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, are scheduled, reflecting the significant political and public attention surrounding Netanyahu's visit.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he would meet with Netanyahu on Friday.

Arrests are beginning as over 400 American Jews refuse to leave Congress, but we won’t leave until our government STOPS ARMING ISRAEL and ENDS THE GENOCIDE of Palestinians in Gaza! pic.twitter.com/ybVpz7Rgh6

— Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive) July 23, 2024