“We consider it a disgrace that Benjamin Netanyahu was invited to speak before both houses of Congress,” Becker said. “We will be demonstrating in the thousands to say that he should not be welcome.”
Organizers estimate that 5,000 people will attend the event, held on the day of Netanyahu’s speech, according to a permit application submitted to the National Park Service.
On Tuesday, hostage families — many from Israel — will gather on the National Mall to share the stories of those captured in the Oct. 7 attack and express hope for their release, said Bar Ben Yaakov and Matan Sivek, an Israeli couple living in the District who lead advocacy efforts in the United States for the hostage families.
“Netanyahu’s visit to the United States added a lot of stress and uncertainty to the families,” Yaakov said. “Many of them, including us, were really hoping that he would come to the United States with the good news that the deal was concluded.”
The protests come after weeks of deadlock over a ceasefire deal.
When and where do the gatherings take place?
About 45 relatives of hostages will gather on the National Mall at 6 p.m. Tuesday and carry signs of the hostages still being held and demand their release.
Several events are planned for Wednesday:
- At 10 a.m., in the park south of Union Station, between First Street and Delaware Avenue NE, a Jewish group — T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights — holds a morning prayer to end the war and free all the hostages.
- At 11 a.m., thousands are expected to gather at 3rd Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue to demand Netanyahu’s arrest. Protesters will circle the perimeter of the U.S. Capitol holding a red banner, a symbol of the “red line” against the Gaza war. Protesters will travel by bus from several states, including Maine, Indiana, North Carolina and Georgia.
- At noon, UnXeptable, a grassroots organization of Israeli expats, is holding a rally in Upper Senate Park to express support for their home country while criticizing Netanyahu. Offir Gutelzon, the group’s founder who is traveling from Palo Alto, California, for the protest, said those planning to gather “love Israel and … believe that what Netanyahu is doing to the hostages and most Israelis is wrong.”
- At 1 p.m., a “Peace and Justice Bloc” of Palestinians, Israelis, Jews, Arabs and allies will gather near the U.S. Capitol to demand a ceasefire.
What will the security presence be?
According to a statement, the U.S. Capitol Police “have been working around the clock with our federal, state and local partners” to prepare for Netanyahu’s visit. While the Capitol Police declined to share specific steps it is taking to accommodate the expected crowd, the agency said it plans to add more officers, including those from outside agencies.
“We anticipate a large number of protesters will show up,” Capitol Police said in the statement.
DC police spokeswoman Paris Lewbel said in a statement that while there are no known threats, the agency is working with its federal law enforcement partners to monitor the protests.
Will there be any street closures?
As of Friday evening, Washington DC police had not announced any street closures. @DCPoliceTraffic on X for the latest information. Capitol Police said the agency would provide information on road closures and public access to congressional buildings as Netanyahu’s visit approaches.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
