US Capitol Police detained Jewish activists who were demonstrating against American military backing for Israel within a congressional building on Tuesday, just a day before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to address Congress. The demonstrators, who were organized by the activist group Jewish Voice for Peace, donned red T-shirts inscribed with slogans such as 'not in our name' and 'Jews say stop arming Israel.' Some of them held banners that read 'ceasefire now' and 'let Gaza live.' Protests are scheduled to align with Netanyahu's visit, during which he is expected to meet with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
'For the past 9 months, we've witnessed countless horrors in Gaza, committed in our names and funded by our government,' Jewish Voice for Peace posted on social media. The activist group claimed that over 250 protesters were arrested, with 400 individuals participating in the demonstration. The police reported that approximately 200 people were arrested.
'We informed the individuals, who legally entered, to cease or face arrest. They did not comply,' the police stated in a release. 'Demonstrating inside the Congressional Buildings is against the law.'
