The US Congress witnessed a gathering rejecting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's expected speech before Congress later on Wednesday evening, while members of the Democratic Party announced their boycott of Netanyahu's speech.

Al Jazeera's correspondent in Washington said that the demonstrators raised slogans against Netanyahu's visit and his speech before Congress, and they also raised slogans calling for the arrest of Netanyahu and the Israeli officials responsible for the war on Gaza. The Neturei Karta group of Orthodox Jews, who are anti-Zionist, is also participating in these protests, and these protests raise slogans calling for an end to the war and a halt to the supply of weapons to Israel.

In May, the leaders of the US Senate and House of Representatives invited Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of Congress, in a show of support amid divisions between the Republican and Democratic parties over the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.

Historical occasion

Al Jazeera's correspondent said that Netanyahu's presence is a historic occasion for the demonstrators, as he will now appear before them in Congress and watch their protests after they had previously demonstrated in many states and cities opposing the war on Gaza.

The reporter also pointed out that the demonstrators are seeking to send a message to the US administration and Netanyahu at the same time that this war must be stopped. The demonstrators are wondering about the position of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and whether it will be like the position of President Joe Biden, who supported Israel with unlimited and unconditional support.

In a related context, about 80 Democratic Party lawmakers announced their intention to boycott Netanyahu's speech and accused him of "deception."

Boycotters will include Vice President and US presidential candidate Kamala Harris, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Bernie Sanders.

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen called on his colleagues in Congress to boycott Netanyahu's expected speech, noting that Congress should not be complicit in his ongoing political deception, as he put it.

Source: Al Jazeera