Washington, D.C. – Tensions escalated outside the White House on Wednesday as crowds of protesters gathered to voice their opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit. The Israeli leader, set to address Congress, faced vehement criticism from various coalitions accusing him of war crimes and mishandling the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Kaleem Hawa of the Palestinian Youth Movement spoke to CNN, denouncing Netanyahu as a “war criminal” responsible for “more than nine months of genocide.” Hawa argued that Netanyahu’s visit was political theater designed to reassure Congress despite the dire situation on the ground in Gaza.

Israeli and Jewish American protesters also voiced their opposition to Netanyahu, arguing he does not represent Israel’s best interests. An organizer from this group emphasized Netanyahu’s attempts to sabotage diplomatic efforts for personal political gain.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen. Thousands of Palestinians have fled Khan Younis following a fresh ground assault by Israeli forces targeting Hamas. The Israel Defense Forces cited intelligence that Hamas militants were embedded in the area, prompting a reduction in the so-called “humanitarian zone.” Exhausted evacuees, many on foot, expressed anger at both Israel and Hamas, with some criticizing Arab states for their perceived inaction.

In Washington, the protest atmosphere grew increasingly volatile. Capitol Police deployed pepper spray and flash-bang devices to disperse Pro-Palestinian demonstrators attempting to breach barriers. Amid the chaos, several protesters were detained, and confrontations with police ensued.

Inside Congress, Netanyahu’s speech condemned the protests, suggesting Iranian involvement in funding anti-Israel demonstrations. He labeled the protesters as supporters of Hamas and accused them of aligning with “rapists and murderers.”

Notably, Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American congresswoman, silently protested during Netanyahu’s speech by holding signs accusing him of war crimes and genocide. Her actions were met with mixed reactions from colleagues, with some criticizing the appropriateness of the signs.

The White House disavowed the more extreme actions of protesters, including the burning of American flags, calling such acts “disgraceful.” A spokesperson emphasized the importance of peaceful protest while condemning violence and antisemitism.

As Netanyahu’s visit concluded, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remained dire, with calls for immediate aid access and a ceasefire. The situation underscores the complex and contentious nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the deep divisions it engenders both domestically and internationally.