Protesters are gathering near the Capitol building to denounce Israel’s war in Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who addressed a joint session of Congress Wednesday afternoon.
Over 50 congressional Democrats were absent from the speech in protest of the prime minister’s handling of the war.
Joe Biden will address the nation tonight at 8 p.m. ET.
Follow the AP’s Election-2024 coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024.
Here’s the Latest:
Police deploy chemical agent at protestors
After being turned away by police near the Capitol, protesters wound through the Capitol Hill neighborhood for several blocks before gathering in front of Union Station.
When protestors took down one of the giant U.S. flags outside, police moved in. At least one person was arrested and police deployed chemical agents.
Protesters chanted “shame on you” as police dragged somebody away. At least two people were seen being treated for chemical agent effects on the eyes.
‘I came here to thank you, America,’ Netanyahu says as he wraps speech
“On behalf of the people of Israel, I came here to say thank you, America,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday as he finished his address to Congress.
Democrats subsequently filed out of the chamber while Republicans were still giving the prime minister enthusiastic applause.
Netanyahu praises Trump
The Israeli leader, frequently accused of wading into American politics in favor of Republicans, lavished praise on former president and current presidential contender Donald Trump “for all he’s done for Israel.”
‘Israel will fight until we destroy Hamas’ military capabilities
Netanyahu says he is ready to press forward with Israel’s war against Hamas until he achieves “total victory.”
Netanyahu told Congress that he would agree to a cease-fire if Hamas surrenders, disarms and releases all hostages it is holding.
“Israel will fight until we destroy Hamas’ military capabilities and its rule in Gaza and bring all our hostages home,” he said. “That’s what total victory means. And we will settle for nothing less.”
But he said Israel would continue to fight indefinitely until it destroys the group’s military capabilities and brings home all hostages.
Critics have said Netanyahu’s vow of total victory is unrealistic, as Hamas has repeatedly regrouped in areas that the Israeli military has withdrawn from.
U.S.-led cease-fire talks have dragged on for months without a breakthrough.
A tense scene between dueling protestors
At one point, late in the march, a brief scuffle broke out between different protest groups. At the corner of D Street and Delaware, a small group waving Israeli flags had set up a demonstration, claiming to be pro-Israel but anti-Netanyahu.
As the main rally passed them, one man tried to grab the megaphone held by one of the pro-Israeli protesters.
The pair separated after a brief struggle and the situation devolved into multiple tense, but nonviolent, debates.
People wearing yellow ‘Seal the deal now’ T-shirts removed
Earlier in the speech, five people wearing yellow T-shirts that read “seal the deal now” were removed from the House gallery. The phrase is a rallying cry for those urging Netanyahu to reach a deal to return the hostages.
The individuals stood to prominently display the message on their shirts during moments when others were applauding but had done nothing to disrupt the speech itself.
Arrests made in House Gallery, per Capitol Police
U.S. Capitol Police say they have arrested five people who disrupted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before Congress. Police said in a post on X that the people were in the House Gallery and were “immediately removed” and arrested.
“Disrupting the Congress and demonstrating in the Congressional Buildings is against the law,” police said.
The affiliation of those arrested is not immediately clear.
Netanyahu’s speech takes on more combative tone
Netanyahu’s speech took on a more combative tone as he defended his country but also derided those protesting the war in Gaza, gesturing to demonstrations happening as he spoke on the streets outside the U.S. Capitol, as “useful idiots” for Israel’s adversaries.
“The hands of the Jewish state will never be shackled,” he said.
He drew shouts of applause from many in Congress, but also silence from leading Democrats who declined to stand and cheer.
A common thread of Netanyahu’s speech is painting Israel’s fight against Hamas and the region as a whole as synonymous with American interests and values.
RNC chairman says the party’s electoral strategy has not changed following Harris’ ascension
The head of the RNC says his party’s general election calculus has not changed now that Democrats may be led by Harris and not President Biden.
RNC Chairman Michael Whatley told The Associated Press ahead of Trump’s rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, later today that he feels “fantastic” about his candidate’s chances in the state, which was the scene of Trump’s slimmest electoral victory in 2020.
Whatley also said that he felt Vance’s addition to the ticket would resonate with voters in North Carolina.
Asked about running a campaign against Harris instead of Biden, Whatley expressed confidence in his notion that Trump “has more energy and is doing more events than any presidential candidate, ever. Nobody is going to outwork Donald Trump.”
Whatley was serving as chairman of the North Carolina GOP when Trump put him forth as his pick to lead national Republicans.
US Rep. Tlaib holds up sign that says ‘war criminal’ and ‘guilty of genocide’
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, held up a sign in the House chamber Wednesday that said “war criminal” on one side and “guilty of genocide” on the other.
Tlaib has been one of Netanyahu’s most strident critics in Congress and was censured for her comments last year about the latest Israel-Hamas war.
She has relatives in the West Bank and represents a district in Michigan with many Palestinians.
Netanyahu thanks Biden for his efforts and ‘hearfelt support for Israel’
Netanyahu on Wednesday said Biden stood with Israel in his darkest hour and it will “never be forgotten.”
“I want to thank him for half a century of friendship to Israel,” he said.
Many had expected Netanyahu to use his address before Congress to once again criticize the Democratic president but the prime minister’s remarks so far have been complimentary and gracious to President Joe Biden, who stepped down days ago as the Democratic nominee for president, for “half a century of friendship to Israel.”
Police deployed pepper spray on protesters near US Capitol
Police deployed pepper spray Wednesday as a large crowd protesting Israel’s war in Gaza marched toward the U.S. Capitol, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was speaking to Congress.
Thousands of protesters descended on Washington, chanting “Free, Free Palestine” as some tried to block streets ahead of Netanyahu’s speech. Police wearing gas masks blocked the crowd, which was calling for an end to the war that has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians, from getting closer to the Capitol.
U.S. Capitol Police said some members of the crowd had become “violent” and had “failed to obey” orders to move back from the police line.
“We are deploying pepper spray toward anyone trying to break the law and cross that line,” Capitol Police said.
Netanyahu begins speech to Congress
“For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together,” Netanyahu said. “When we stand together something really great happens: we win, they lose.
He wore a pin with Israeli and U.S. flags on one side, and a yellow pin expressing solidarity with the Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
More than 50 congressional Dems absent from Netanyahu’s address
By the time Netanyahu was set to begin his address before a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, more than fifty congressional Democrats were noticeably absent after announcing publicly that they would not be attending the speech in protest of the prime minister’s handling of the war.
Protesters gather outside US Embassy in Tel Aviv ahead of Netanyahu’s speech
Protests were also taking place in Israel ahead of Netanyahu’s speech, with demonstrators demanding a cease-fire in exchange for the release of the roughly 120 hostages still held by Hamas. About 200 protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv, some holding signs reading “Bibi, enemy of Israel,” referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.
US Rep. Tlaib among those attending Netanyahu’s address
While many Democrats declined to attend the prime minister’s speech as a way to protest how Netanyahu has led the war against Hamas, one outspoken critic of his conduct is attending.
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, took a seat in the House chamber with a keffiyeh, which she often wears, wrapped over her shoulders. Tlaib was censured last year for her strident criticism of Israel’s conduct in the war.
Netanyahu arrives on Capitol Hill, greets House Speaker Johnson
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived on Capitol Hill and has greeted House Speaker Mike Johnson.
“We are certainly happy to welcome our friend,” Johnson said.
“Today and every day America must stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel,” Johnson said.
“Speaker Johnson, you have shown great leadership,” Netanyahu said.
The two men spoke briefly, podiums side by side, at the Capitol.
‘We are not playing around,’ Harris tells gathering of historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta members
Vice President Kamala Harris told a gathering of the historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta in Indianapolis on Wednesday that “we are not playing around,” in the 2024 presidential election.
And she asked them for their support in helping to elect her.
Harris said: “In this moment, I believe we face a choice between two different visions for our nation — one focused on the future, the other focused on the past.
“And with your support, I am fighting for our nation’s future.”
Voters in Indiana haven’t backed a Democratic presidential candidate in nearly 16 years. But the biennial meeting of roughly 6,000 people, mostly women, is part of a constituency Harris hopes will turn out for her in massive numbers: women of colo…
Family members hold up sign that says ‘war criminal’ and ‘guilty of genocide’
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, held up a sign in the House chamber Wednesday that said “war criminal” on one side and “guilty of genocide” on the other.
Tlaib has been one of Netanyahu’s most strident critics in Congress and was censured for her comments last year about the latest Israel-Hamas war.
She has relatives in the West Bank and represents a district in Michigan with many Palestinians.
Netanyahu thanks Biden for his efforts and ‘hearfelt support for Israel’
Netanyahu on Wednesday said Biden stood with Israel in his darkest hour and it will “never be forgotten.”
“I want to thank him for half a century of friendship to Israel,” he said.
Many had expected Netanyahu to use his address before Congress to once again criticize the Democratic president but the prime minister’s remarks so far have been complimentary and gracious to President Joe Biden, who stepped down days ago as the Democratic nominee for president, for “half a century of friendship to Israel.”
Police deployed pepper spray on protesters near US Capitol
Police deployed pepper spray Wednesday as a large crowd protesting Israel’s war in Gaza marched toward the U.S. Capitol, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was speaking to Congress.
Thousands of protesters descended on Washington, chanting “Free, Free Palestine” as some tried to block streets ahead of Netanyahu’s speech. Police wearing gas masks blocked the crowd, which was calling for an end to …
Netanyahu begins speech to Congress
“For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together,” Netanyahu said. “When we stand together something really great happens: we win, they lose.
He wore a pin with Israeli and U.S. flags on one side, and a yellow pin expressing solidarity with the Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
More than 50 congressional Dems absent from Netanyahu’s address
By the time Netanyahu was set to begin his address before a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, more than fifty congressional Democrats were noticeably absent after announcing publicly that they would not be attending the speech in protest of the prime minister’s handling of the war.
Protesters gather outside US Embassy in Tel Aviv ahead of Netanyahu’s speech
Protests were also taking place in Israel ahead of Netanyahu’s speech, with demonstrators demanding a cease-fire in exchange for the release of the roughly 120 hostages still held by Hamas. About 200 protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv, some holding signs reading “Bibi, enemy of Israel,” referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.
US Rep. Tlaib among those attending Netanyahu’s address
While many Democrats declined to attend the prime minister’s speech as a way to protest how Netanyahu has led the war against Hamas, one outspoken critic of his conduct is attending.
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, took a seat in the House chamber with a keffiyeh, which she often wears, wrapped over her shoulders. Tlaib was censured last year for her strident criticism of Israel’s conduct in the war.
Netanyahu arrives on Capitol Hill, greets House Speaker Johnson
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived on Capitol Hill and has greeted House Speaker Mike Johnson.
“We are certainly happy to welcome our friend,” Johnson said.
“Today and every day America must stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel,” Johnson said.
“Speaker Johnson, you have shown great leadership,” Netanyahu said.
The two men spoke briefly, podiums side by side, at the Capitol.
‘We are not playing around,’ Harris tells gathering of historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta members
Vice President Kamala Harris told a gathering of the historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta in Indianapolis on Wednesday that “we are not playing around,” in the 2024 presidential election.
And she asked them for their support in helping to elect her.
Harris said: “In this moment, I believe we face a choice between two different visions for our nation — one focused on the future, the other focused on the past.
“And with your support, I am fighting for our nation’s future.”
Voters in Indiana haven’t backed a Democratic presidential candidate in nearly 16 years. But the biennial meeting of roughly 6,000 people, mostly women, is part of a constituency Harris hopes will turn out for her in massive numbers: women of color.
President Joe Biden stepped away from the race on Sunday.
Family members of Israeli hostages criticize Netanyahu’s trip to the US
At an event with dozens of Democrats ahead of Netanyahu’s speech, several family members of Israelis taken hostage by Hamas last year unleashed criticism at the prime minister for coming to the U.S. when he could be focused on securing a deal to free those taken captive.
“The hostage family forum back home urged Netanyahu not to come here and give this speech now at a time when a deal is so close,” said Maya Roman, who had several family members taken hostage. “Because by coming here, he risks making himself the issue, turning the humanitarian issue of the hostages into a political one.”
U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat, called the event a “powerful” reminder of the importance of reaching a cease-fire deal and returning
