Thousands expected to gather in DC to protest ahead of Netanyahu's visit

WASHINGTON (7News) — Thousands of protesters plan to fill D.C.’s streets ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Congress this week with a clear demand: an end to U.S. aid to Israel.

Netanyahu’s visit to Congress comes a few days after a historic United Nations court advisory opinion calling for an end to Israel’s illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories and condemning Israel’s rule over the lands it annexed 57 years ago, the Associated Press reported.

“In a historic ruling the International Court of Justice has found multiple and serious international law violations by Israel towards Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including, for the first time, finding Israel responsible for apartheid. The court has placed responsibility with all states and the United Nations to end these violations of international law. The ruling should be yet another wake up call for the United States to end its egregious policy of defending Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and prompt a thorough reassessment in other countries as well,” said Tirana Hassan, Human Rights Watch Executive Director.

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Netanyahu denounced the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, saying the territories are part of the Jewish people’s historic homeland, the Associated Press reported. His address to Congress is expected to take place on Wednesday, July 24.

Protesters plan to surround the Capitol to call for an end to U.S. aid to Israel and an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The protest is expected to take place as Israel continues to intensify its bombardment in the Gaza Strip. The 8-month-old war became one of the most destructive conflicts of the 21st century, the Associated Press reported, with tens of thousands of Palestinians killed. The war left many parts of the city in ruins, forcing more than 1.9 million Palestinians out of their homes.

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Ahead of Netanyahu’s visit, the Metropolitan Police Department announced street closures and parking restrictions.

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking from Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 6:00 a.m. through Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.:

– Virginia Avenue, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to New Hampshire Avenue

– Jamal Khashoggi Way from Virginia Avenue to F Street, NW

– F Street, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to 25th Street

– 27th Street, NW from Virginia Avenue to K Street

– 2600 block of I Street, NW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 10:00 p.m. through Friday, July 26, 2024, at 6:00 a.m.:

– Rock Creek Parkway, NW between Virginia Avenue and the Potomac River Freeway southbound

– Virginia Avenue, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to New Hampshire Avenue (eastbound lanes)

– Jamal Khashoggi Way (southbound lanes) between Virginia Avenue and F Street, NW

– F Street, NW from Rock Creek Parkway to 25th Street

– 27th Street, NW from Virginia Avenue to K Street

– 2600 block of I Street, NW

– 27th Street ramp from northbound Potomac River Freeway

Officials said that all traffic traveling south on Rock Creek Parkway will be diverted east on I Street from Virginia Avenue, NW to the Potomac River Freeway. Westbound traffic on Virginia Avenue, NW will be able to turn north on Rock Creek Parkway. All traffic from Ohio Drive, SW will be diverted north on Potomac River Freeway.

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 5:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.:

– Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 7th and 3rd Streets

– Constitution Avenue, NW between 15th and 3rd Streets

– Independence Avenue, SW between 14th and 3rd Streets

– Maryland Avenue, SW between Independence Avenue and 3rd Street

– 3rd Street between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW

– 7th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW

– Jefferson Drive, NW between 3rd and 7th Streets

– Madison Drive, NW between 3rd and 7th Streets

The following street will be closed to vehicle traffic on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 5:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.:

– Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between Constitution Avenue and 3rd Street

Due to First Amendment activity, plan for intermittent street closures and traffic delays, officials said.

For timely traffic information, click here.