Congress Police Clashes with Palestinian Supporters Who Breached Security Barrier

In Washington, D.C., U.S. Capitol Police used pepper spray to disperse some Palestinian supporters who crossed a police security barrier and ignored orders from officers protecting the Capitol on Wednesday. Thousands of Palestinian supporters gathered around the Capitol building while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was speaking inside, prompting increased security measures from Capitol Police. According to Reuters, shortly before Netanyahu's speech began, Capitol Police reported that some protesters had become violent. The Capitol Police stated, "The crowd did not comply with our order to retreat from our police line. We are using pepper spray on anyone who wants to break the law and cross that barrier." A Voice of America reporter on the scene noted that some Palestinian supporters were chanting "Intifada, Intifada" on a street leading to the Capitol. The demonstration was peaceful for the first few hours until about half an hour before Netanyahu's speech when protesters began marching and faced police barriers. Authorities had blocked routes leading to the Capitol building with severe security measures before the speech. Netanyahu referenced the protesters outside the Capitol in his speech, stating he had a message for them. Using a Cold War-era term regarding individuals exploited for political purposes, he said, "When the tyrants in Tehran, who hang homosexuals from cranes and kill women for not covering their hair, praise you, promote you, and financially support you, you have officially become Iran's useful idiots." On Tuesday, a group of Jewish citizens in Washington protested against the sale of American weapons to Israel. No reports of major unrest emerged from that protest. Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House, had initially invited the Israeli leader to speak about the Gaza war situation. Then three other senior congressional officials, including two Democrats, joined him in asking Netanyahu to update lawmakers on the war situation. Earlier reports indicated that several Democratic members of Congress planned to boycott Netanyahu's speech in protest of Israel's actions during the Gaza war. The ongoing war in Gaza began after Hamas's terrorist attack on southern Israel on October 7. Hamas is supported militarily and financially by the Islamic Republic. The FBI Director explained threats against Trump and threats from the Islamic Republic to Congress. Netanyahu stated in the U.S. Congress: Israel is fighting in its battle against the Islamic Republic for America's interests. Netanyahu, at a memorial for Joe Lieberman: He deeply understood the threat of the Islamic Republic. The new wave of Israeli attacks in Gaza coincided with Netanyahu's visit to America. Hundreds of Jews opposed to arms sales to Israel gathered in an office building of the U.S. Congress. The UN Special Envoy for Yemen reported that threats against shipping in the Red Sea by the Houthis are increasing.