Several thousand demonstrators gathered in Washington, D.C. to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress. While lawmakers applauded Netanyahu inside the building, activists outside called for his prosecution for alleged crimes related to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The demonstrators held effigies depicting a bloodied Netanyahu, waved Palestinian flags, and shouted “Free Palestine” as the Israeli Prime Minister spoke. Many lawmakers boycotted the speech and joined the protest alongside those criticizing Netanyahu as a war criminal.

Police used pepper spray against activists who reportedly acted violently, although there were no physical confrontations between the police and the demonstrators. Several protesters expressed their anger towards President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who have supported military aid to Israel.

The protests in Washington conveyed a strong disdain for Netanyahu and called for his prosecution for war crimes in Gaza. Some even compared Netanyahu to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and demanded that he be brought to trial at the International Criminal Court.

The demonstrators braved the heat and the police presence to make their voices heard and to display their opposition to Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. Netanyahu defended Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the support he received from lawmakers, labeling the protesters outside Congress as “Iran’s useful idiots” and accusing them of supporting Hamas, the militant group in control of Gaza.

The demonstrations in Washington sent a clear message of resistance against Israel’s actions in Gaza and urged the U.S. government to reconsider its support for Israel.