Protesters Ejected During Netanyahu’s Congress Speech

During Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress on Wednesday, several protesters were forcibly removed from the House chamber by Capitol Police. The protesters, wearing bright yellow shirts emblazoned with the message “Seal the Deal NOW,” called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Their removal occurred early in Netanyahu’s speech, which included a segment where he criticized earlier protests related to the conflict. The protesters had initially concealed their shirts under jackets but revealed them during a standing ovation. NBC reported via X (formerly Twitter) that the Capitol Police arrested and removed five individuals from the House Gallery for disrupting the speech. They emphasized that demonstrations within Congressional Buildings are illegal.

As the protesters were escorted out, Netanyahu took the opportunity to express his disdain for the critics of Israel. He suggested that those protesting against Israel should be ashamed, hinting that the protests might be funded by Iran. Netanyahu referred to the protesters as “Iran’s useful idiots,” and criticized the handling of student protests by university administrators. He accused them of failing to condemn calls for the genocide of Jews, specifically targeting Ivy League institutions whose leaders had previously debated the context of such calls in relation to school policies.

Netanyahu’s speech also included expressions of gratitude toward President Joe Biden for his support during the ongoing conflict. Despite their strained relationship, marked by disagreements over Israel’s wartime actions, Netanyahu acknowledged Biden’s backing. He also praised former President Donald Trump for his role in relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and for confronting Iran’s aggression, a move that has been a point of contention in current U.S. political discourse.

Although Netanyahu did not directly address the status of cease-fire negotiations, he suggested that Hamas could end the war immediately by returning hostages. He reiterated Israel’s stance on Gaza, stating that Israel does not seek to resettle the area but envisions a “demilitarized and deradicalized” Gaza under leadership not aimed at destroying Israel. Netanyahu defended Israel’s military operations in Gaza, rejecting claims that the country was obstructing aid to the enclave. This defense comes amidst severe criticism and has led to arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court for Netanyahu and Israel’s defense minister. They have been accused of causing relatively low civilian casualties and attributing delays in aid delivery to Hamas’s interference.

Outside the Capitol, tensions escalated as Capitol Police deployed pepper spray against protesters who reportedly became violent and failed to adhere to police instructions to retreat from the designated areas. The police stated that part of the crowd’s behavior necessitated the use of force to maintain order.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the sole Palestinian American in Congress, attended the speech but remained seated, displaying a sign that read “war criminal” on one side and “guilty of genocide” on the other. This act of protest highlighted the contentious nature of the address and the ongoing divisions regarding U.S. policy towards Israel.

The address saw a significant number of congressional Democrats opting not to attend. Notable absences included Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Bernie Sanders, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Reports indicate that around half of the Democratic members of Congress were absent, with some citing scheduling conflicts while others expressed criticism of Netanyahu’s war tactics, which have led to significant casualties in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Netanyahu was invited to speak to Congress by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., along with other House and Senate leaders in late May. The invitation was extended despite initial reservations from Democratic leaders Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Both eventually supported the invitation despite Schumer’s ongoing criticisms of Netanyahu’s policies. Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, Netanyahu has enjoyed U.S. support, but this support has been increasingly scrutinized by Democrats and President Biden, who have raised concerns about Israel’s conduct and the humanitarian impact on Palestinians in Gaza. Efforts by the U.S. to mediate a cease-fire have encountered multiple obstacles and setbacks.

Following Netanyahu’s speech, Pelosi criticized it sharply, describing it as “the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary” invited to speak before Congress. She and other Democrats who skipped the address later met with Israeli citizens to advocate for a cease-fire and urged Netanyahu to focus on achieving this goal.