Capitol Police had to resort to the use of pepper spray to handle the “violentsituation outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress.
🚨 #BREAKING: Police in riot gear are battling THOUSANDS of protesters as they approach the US Capitol pic.twitter.com/odygrbw7bC
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 24, 2024
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More footage from outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC as violent protests continue with protesters attacking police officers.pic.twitter.com/z3qsoaC6ZW
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) July 24, 2024
The dramatic scene unfolded as up to 10,000 protesters marched on Capitol Hill, demanding an end to the fighting in Gaza.
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk was spotted at the US Capitol on Wednesday, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint meeting of Congress for the first time since Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel ignite a war in the Middle East.
Kelly Phares, a… pic.twitter.com/CufGUN7azJ— josette caruso (@josettecaruso) July 24, 2024
As the protests escalated, more than 200 New York City Police Department officers were dispatched to assist the US Capitol police force.
A Hamas flag can be seen among the crowd currently marching towards the US Capitol building in Washington, DC. pic.twitter.com/b6pPvttEY2
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 24, 2024
The chaotic scene prompted Capitol Police to describe the events as “violent,” prompting the deployment of pepper spray to maintain control.
Five people in the House Gallery have just interrupted the speech during the joint meeting. All of them were immediately removed from the Gallery and arrested. Disrupting Congress and demonstrating in Congressional buildings is against the law.
— US Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) July 24, 2024
Amid the chaos, reports emerged of protesters infiltrating the hotel where Netanyahu was staying, leaving maggots and insects strewn across the premises.
BREAKING: Lakes released on Netanyahu's table at Watergate Hotel, as well as fire alarms activated to disturb sleep the night before his visit to Congresspic.twitter.com/8m58HKLIm8
— Tiberi (@ecomarxi) July 24, 2024
Despite these disruptions, Netanyahu plans to meet with Joe Biden, Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump during his trip to the United States.