'Let Gaza Live': Police arrest several Gaza war protesters ahead of Netanyahu's speech

Capitol Police on Tuesday arrested several Gaza war protesters who held a sit-in at a congressional office building, prior to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress.

The protest was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, with demonstrators wearing red T-shirts with the slogan "Not In Our Name" taking over the Rotunda of the Cannon Building, chanting "Let Gaza Live!"

US Capitol Police officers after approximately 30 minutes of clapping and chanting, issued warnings before starting to arrest them, tying their hands with zip ties and escorting them away individually.

"I am the daughter of Holocaust survivors and I know what a Holocaust looks like," said Jane Hirschmann, a native of Saugerties, New York, who attended the protest with her two daughters, both of whom were arrested. "When we say 'Never Again,' we mean never for anybody."

The protesters demanded that the Biden administration immediately stop all arms shipments to Israel.

"We're not focusing on Netanyahu. He's just a symptom," Hirschmann said. "But how can (Biden) be calling for a cease-fire when he's sending them bombs and planes?"

Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Monday for a multi-day visit, which includes meetings with President Joe Biden and a Wednesday address to a joint session of Congress. On Monday evening, dozens of protesters gathered outside his hotel.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Rivard, chief of staff for Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., said that his office requested Capitol Police intervention after the demonstrators "became disruptive, violently beating on the office doors, shouting loudly, and attempting to force entry into the office."

Netanyahu's visit to the United States has sparked a series of protests, with some demonstrations denouncing Israel and others expressing support but urging Netanyahu to negotiate a cease-fire agreement and secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.