Just as a joint meeting of Congress was convening for an address from Benjamin Netanyahu, a small group of staffers gathered on the eastern edge of the National Mall, unfurled a banner and read a statement condemning the Israeli prime minister.
“His presence disgraces the U.S. Capitol and dishonors the American values Congress has sworn to uphold. Let us be clear: War criminals will never be welcomed into the people’s House,” a House Democratic aide shouted, over the din of police sirens and bullhorns, with the Capitol Dome behind him. The banner read: “Staff say kick the war criminal out of our Capitol.”
The group, called Congressional Staff for a Ceasefire Now, joined thousands who descended on the Hill to protest the visit by Netanyahu, who critics argue is perpetrating a genocide in Gaza in retribution for Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.
