Washington – Crowds descended on the capital on Wednesday to protest a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and many were eager to see what position Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, would take on the conflict.
“She’s no different than Biden on this issue, she’s no different than anybody else,” Nicolai, of Ohio, told Fox News Digital. “We’re moving in the direction of the lesser evil. Trump is 100 percent, she’s 99.9 percent. Get it?”
“We are pleased to announce that Israel will hold talks with the Israeli Prime Minister on the issue of Gaza,” said Harris, who is due to meet with Netanyahu at the White House.
On July 24, 2024, protesters calling for an Israeli ceasefire in Gaza marched near the U.S. Capitol to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the U.S. Congress. (Andrew Thomas/AFP via Getty Images)
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Some people erected a giant effigy of Netanyahu with devil horns, blood coming out of his mouth and a bomb in his hand. They also shouted slogans like “Intifada Revolution” and “From the River to the Sea”, danced, burned flags and waved posters with Netanyahu’s face. US Capitol Police made numerous arrests.
“I want Israel to be dissolved,” Christine from Virginia said earlier in the day when asked what outcome she would like to see in the Middle East. “That’s about it.”
Other protesters wanted a two-state solution.
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Many attendees told Fox News Digital that Netanyahu is a “war criminal” who “should be in jail” and that they were skeptical that Harris would take a tougher stance on Israel if elected president.
“I really hate her,” said Elise from Virginia. “I’m pro-life and pro-Palestine, and she’s against both, so to me she’s committing double genocide.”
“I don’t think she has the capacity,” one Maryland man said. “You’ve got North Korea, you’ve got Netanyahu, you’ve got Russia, you’ve got China. She can’t stand up to them.”
In Washington, Connor said he had “very mixed feelings” about what a hypothetical Harris presidency would mean for Gaza.
“She seems less combative than Biden on the issue of Israel and Gaza,” Connor said, noting Harris’ ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), “so it remains to be seen where she actually stands on this whole issue.”
Connor held a sign at the protest calling for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be prosecuted for “war crimes and crimes against humanity.” (Fox News Digital)
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Congress and the Biden administration have sent billions of dollars worth of military aid and other funds to Israel since Hamas launched its attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.
“Joe Biden is complicit in the genocide that’s going on right now,” George, a Palestinian immigrant who now lives in Michigan, told Fox News Digital. If Harris’ policies mirror Biden’s, “she’s not better than Biden.”
“Words are not enough. We need actions,” George added.
Vermont Sen. Tanya Byhovsky also joined the protest, telling Fox News Digital that she “does not want taxpayer money to be used for genocide.” Byhovsky, a progressive Democrat, said Harris has not yet made clear where she stands on Israel’s war with Hamas.
“I would like to see her stand up, support a ceasefire and find a way for peace,” she said. “In many of the most complex world conflicts, restorative justice has been used to ensure that all affected parties are heard and addressed and peace is found. And we don’t do that by bombing.”
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In March, Harris became the first administration official to call for a temporary ceasefire on the condition that Hamas cooperates and allows the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip.
“We hope that Harris will take a more humane stance and acknowledge that Israel has committed too many war crimes,” one attendee said, “and this has to stop. We hope that Kamala Harris will make a statement and save us from this nightmare.”
One woman said the only difference between Republicans and Democrats on the Gaza war is that “the Blues tend to understand that humans exist.”
“It’s only words that change, not actions,” she said. “Obama [Israel] It’s a blank check. Biden is giving them the most ridiculously huge blank check.”
She added: “And that’s why we’re going to vote for Jill Stein.”
A person spray paints the base of the Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain as demonstrators protest near the U.S. Capitol building while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to Congress on July 24, 2024. (Andrew Thomas/AFP via Getty Images)
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“I don’t support any of them,” the Michigan protester said, “and I’d like to see another candidate who speaks for justice and peace and fairness in the world.”
In a speech to parliament, Prime Minister Netanyahu slammed ceasefire activists as “fools who are useful to Iran.”
Click here to hear more from protesters.
Ramiro Vargas helped produce the accompanying video.
