Palestinian Flag Flying Near Washington's Capitol Hill, Netanyahu Calls Stupid Protesters

JAKARTA - Protesters demanding the United States (US) stop military aid to Israel waving the Palestinian flag and burning the American flag outside Washington Union Station in demonstrations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit.

Less than a mile away, police used pepper sprays on thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the US Capitol Building as Netanyahu spoke in front of Congress.

To seek support from American lawmakers for Israel's war in Gaza, Netanyahu made a vague outline sketch of Gaza's postwar 'dedicalization' plan and touting potential future alliances between Israel and America's Arab allies.

He is scheduled to meet President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday, July 25, and former President Donald Trump on Friday, July 26.

Shortly before Netanyahu started speaking, Capitol police said protesters were trying to cross the blockade and did not back down when asked.

People do not comply with our orders to step down from the police line. We distribute pepper sprays to anyone who tries to violate the law and cross that line," police said.

"We are not a threat (to the police)," said Sarah Bowles, a pharmaceutical technician from Delaware who attended the protests and helped the injured protesters.

One of the protest groups said police attacked demonstrators as they marched.

Pro-Palestinian groups and students have been protesting in the US for months against Israeli attacks on Gaza, an area of Hamas-controlled enclave where, according to health authorities, nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Israeli military attacks came after a Hamas attack on October 7, whose militants stormed Israel, killing 1,200 people and holding about 250 people hostage, according to Israeli data.

Despite mediation efforts by the United States, Qatar and Egypt; Israel and Hamas have yet to establish a permanent ceasefire.

Netanyahu, during a speech to Congress, said he had a message for the protesters.

"When the FARmers in Tehran hang gays on cranes and kill women for not covering their hair praising, promoting, and funding you, you have officially become a useful stupid person in Iran," he said.

Protesters denied the allegations and said their demonstrations were a response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza where nearly 2.3 million residents were forced to flee.

A stage at the site of the protests near the Capitol was filled with banners, including banners declaring Israel's leader a "Searched War Crime" referring to an arrest warrant requested by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. Netanyahu denies allegations of war crimes.

Nearby, protesters laid nearly 30 carton coffins the size of a human wrapped in a Palestinian flag. Traffic is prohibited on several roads near the Capitol.

"I want all the help (to) be suspended to Israel because of their actions in Gaza," said Bradley Cullinan, who said he traveled to the region from Columbus, Ohio, 400 miles (640 km) away.

Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon came on stage and condemned the death toll in Gaza.

"No one is free until everyone is free," said Sarandon.

Dozens of Democratic lawmakers missed Netanyahu's speech before Congress, expressing disappointment over the deaths and humanitarian crisis in Gaza where nearly a total of 2.3 million residents were forced to flee.

Members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish group carried Palestinian flags and posters that read "Free Palestine" and "Anti-Zionism is not antisemitism."

Meanwhile, a group of young protesters danced to Arab music and carried a large banner that read "stop arming Israel" and "stop fighting crimes in Gaza."