Police reportedly used pepper spray on some of the thousands of demonstrators who had gathered outside the US Capitol while Netanyahu addressed Congress. Capitol Police said “part of the crowd has started to become violent.” The crowd was heard chanting “free Palestine,” “stop bombing Gaza,” and “Netanyahu you can’t hide.”

People were heard chanting “Allahu Akbar” while burning the American flag.

‘I expect them to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law’

The invitation for Netanyahu to speak had been extended by House Speaker Mike Johnson. It received massive criticism from people who are against Israel’s invasion of Gaza. According to health authorities, the invasion has resulted in the deaths of almost 40,000 residents, USA Today reported.

“Pro-terror, anti-Israel agitators are vandalizing federal property, removing American flags, and replacing them with Palestinian flags steps away from the United States Capitol. This is inexcusable, and I expect them to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), a member of Senate GOP leadership, posted on X, sharing images from the scene.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote, “Hamas flags, slogans about killing Jews, harassment of @CapitolPolice officers, vandalism, burnt American flags, & hanged effigies of PM Netanyahu. These are just some of the appalling scenes at protests around the U.S. Capitol today,” adding that this “vitriolic behavior goes beyond peaceful protests and free speech. It will only further incite violence.”

Non-Capitol Police officers were spotted making mass arrests near Union Station, Politico reported. The US Capitol Police said that “no flags under our protection have been removed or vandalized.”

The police also said that the “crowd failed to obey our order to move back from our police line.” “We are deploying pepper spray towards anyone trying to break the law and cross that line,” they added.

Netanyahu blasted the protesters in his speech, saying, “When the tyrants of Tehran who hang gays from cranes and murder women for not covering their hair are praising, promoting, and funding you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots.”

Several demonstrators placed 30 human-size cardboard coffins that were wrapped in Palestinian flags.Various roads near the Capitol saw traffic being barred.

Live updates for this story have concluded. You can look back on developments as they happened below to catch up on this story.

Protesters continued to march in D.C. to condemn Israel’s war in Gaza, sometimes clashing with police, hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded his fiery speech to a joint session of Congress.

Some protesters chanting “Free, Free Palestine” tried to block streets before Netanyahu’s address. Police wearing gas masks blocked the crowd – which was calling for an end to the war that has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians – from getting closer to the Capitol.

Inside, Netanyahu lauded U.S.-Israeli unity and praised President Joe Biden. Nine months into the war in Gaza, the Israeli PM was seeking to bolster U.S. support for his country’s fight against Hamas and other Iran-backed armed groups.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, who has family in the West Bank, had a keffiyeh wrapped over her shoulders and displayed a “Guilty of Genocide” sign as Netanyahu spoke. U.S. Capitol police said they removed and arrested six people from the House Gallery for disrupting Netanyahu’s address.

Protesters have continued to march around Capitol Hill and downtown D.C. for the past few hours, at times blocking streets. Capitol police said they used pepper spray on demonstrators who “became violent” and failed to follow commands at First Street and Constitution Avenue NW.

In late afternoon, a large group amassed at Columbus Circle outside Union Station, not far from the Capitol. Protesters were seen burning an effigy of Netanyahu and replacing American flags with Palestinian ones. Some climbed a flag pole and chanted “Shame on you” as police dragged somebody away. At least two people were seen being treated for the effect of chemical agents to the eyes.

Washington, D.C. (VINnews) – In a significant show of inter-agency cooperation, more than 200 officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) have been deployed to the nation’s capital to assist local law enforcement in maintaining public safety during the leftist planned “Day of Rage” protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 24.