Police deploy pepper spray as crowd protesting Israel's war in Gaza marches toward US Capitol

WASHINGTON (AP) — Police deployed pepper spray Wednesday as a large crowd protesting Israel’s war in Gaza marched toward the U.S. Capitol, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was speaking to Congress.

Thousands of protesters descended on Washington, chanting “Free, Free Palestine” as some tried to block streets ahead of Netanyahu's speech. Police wearing gas marks 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.

U.S. Capitol Police said in a post on X that some members of the crowd had become “violent” and had “failed to obey” orders to move back from the police line.

“We are deploying pepper spray toward anyone trying to break the law and cross that line,” Capitol Police said.

Protesters carrying signs with messages such as “arrest Netanyahu” and “end all U.S. aid to Israel" rallied near the Capitol before marching toward the building. Organizers said they would try to block Netanyahu's route to the building, and police forcibly removed from the street protesters who were trying to block one intersection.

The prime minister was greeted by House Speaker Mike Johnson as he arrived Wednesday afternoon at the Capitol, where Netanyahu was seeking to bolster U.S. support for his country’s fight against Hamas.

Police have significantly boosted security around the Capitol and closed multiple roads for most of the week. Workers erected a metal fence around the White House on Wednesday morning while tall steel barriers ringed the Capitol. Security officers were deployed on foot, bicycle and with dogs around the building and in hallways inside.

Dozens of protesters rallied outside Netanyahu’s hotel Monday evening after his arrival in Washington, and on Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of demonstrators staged a flashmob-style protest in the Cannon building, which houses offices of House members.

The Capitol Police said about 200 people were arrested Tuesday on charges stemming from the sit-in at the Cannon building. Jewish Voice for Peace said many more than that were arrested, rabbis among them.

Harris, as Senate president, would normally sit behind foreign leaders addressing Congress, but she will be away Wednesday, on an Indianapolis trip scheduled before Biden withdrew his reelection bid, which made her the likely Democratic presidential candidate.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he would meet with Netanyahu on Friday.