As Congresswoman Rashid Tlaib Took Strong Stance Against Israeli PM’s Congress Speech, Thousands Stormed Capitol Hill Calling on World Leaders to "Arrest Netanyahu"

Inside the congressional chamber, cheers filled the room as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress for the fourth time, seeking to rally ongoing support for his country’s conflict in Gaza. 

Despite the broad bipartisan support that led top Republicans and Democrats from both the Senate and House of Representatives to invite Netanyahu to speak before a joint session of Congress, one congresswoman clearly showed her disapproval. 

Representative Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American in Congress, displayed signs reading "war criminal" and "guilty of genocide." 

Tlaib posted a photo of herself with the sign on X, stating "I will always stand firm in speaking out against injustice. The Israeli government’s actions against Palestinians amount to genocide. Palestinians will not be erased. I stand with those demonstrating outside and exercising their right to protest." 

Before Netanyahu's address, Tlaib issued a statement condemning him, saying, "Netanyahu is a war criminal who is perpetrating genocide against the Palestinian people. It is deeply shameful that leaders from both parties have invited him to speak before Congress. He should be arrested and tried at the International Criminal Court." 

Not in attendance were Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Sara Jacobs. 

Omar declared she would skip the Congress session, calling it “utterly immoral and cruel” to give Netanyahu a platform, citing the immense suffering caused by his actions. She condemned the decision to honor him with a speech before Congress. 

Congressional reporter Andrew Solender said that only about half of Democrat members of Congress attended Netanyahu’s speech. 

Protesters took to the Streets Demanding a Ceasefire in Gaza Strip 

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators filled the streets of Washington, D.C. as many carried Palestinian flags and signs demanding an end to U.S. support for Israel and calling for Netanyahu’s arrest. A request made by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in May was subsequently rejected by U.S. President Joe Biden. 

The main rally was organized by several groups, including Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, Jewish Voice for Peace, Code Pink, the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR), the People’s Forum, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. 

Although the majority of the protests were peaceful, there were occasional clashes between the crowd and law enforcement, who resorted to using pepper spray. 

Many of these protesters had traveled long distances from places such as Indiana, Georgia, and Illinois, according to the organizers of the protest. At least 23 people were arrested, including six in the House Gallery. 

At one point during his speech, Netanyahu directly addressed the demonstrators outside the Capitol. “Many choose to stand with evil. They stand with Hamas. They stand with rapists and murderers,” he said. “They should be ashamed of themselves.” 

“Protestors are Iran’s useful idiots”: Netanyahu 

He also labeled the protesters outside the Capitol as "Iran’s useful idiots," earning a standing ovation from U.S. legislators. 

During his nearly 52-minute speech, Netanyahu avoided discussing the ongoing cease-fire negotiations with Hamas, despite mounting international pressure to finalize an agreement. 

Reports indicate that on Tuesday evening, families of some of the remaining hostages held a protest vigil on the National Mall. They called on Netanyahu to reach an agreement with Hamas to secure the release of approximately 120 Israeli hostages still in Gaza. 

Netanyahu's aggressive military campaign in the Gaza Strip has made him one of the world’s most divisive leaders. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that the conflict, ongoing for nine months, has resulted in over 39,000 Palestinian deaths. 

Just days before Netanyahu’s speech, dozens of protesters gathered outside his Washington hotel, staging a "noise demonstration" and reportedly releasing swarms of crickets and mealworms inside the building. 

Uniting Against a War Criminal 

Many social media users criticized the standing ovation Netanyahu received, describing it as “the most disgusting, pathetic, stomach-wrenching thing.” 

The address ignited outrage from several Palestinian journalists covering Gaza. Reporter Hind Khoudary called out, “Who are you cheering for? What’s the applause for?” after Netanyahu’s ovation from Congress. 

British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan slammed the situation, stating, “Israel is bombing aid trucks, including those from World Central Kitchen, while Netanyahu blames Hamas for the lack of aid in Gaza. And Congress is applauding him.” 

Jewish Voice for Peace (JWP) denounced Netanyahu’s speech as racist and untruthful, calling it a barrage of anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic attacks. They charged him with using the plight of Israeli captives to advance his political agenda and malign anti-war Americans. The group urged that Netanyahu and US officials—who they claim are both financing and applauding these grave injustices—must be held accountable.