WASHINGTON — Pressure is mounting on Capitol Hill as protests continue in opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, D.C.
Tuesday afternoon, a sit-in inside the Cannon Building Rotunda led to several arrests according to the U.S. Capitol Police.
"Demonstrations are not allowed inside the Congressional Buildings. We told the people, who legally entered, to stop or they would be arrested. They did not stop, so we are arresting them," U.S. Capitol Police posted on the social media platform X.
The group Jewish Voice for Peace, who organized the demonstration, says they are demanding the U.S. to enact an immediate weapons embargo on the Israeli government.
Thousands of demonstrators are expected to descend on Capitol Hill on Wednesday as Netanyahu is set to address Congress.
Netanyahu was invited by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson who warned against protests inside the House chamber, saying there would be arrests,"if we have to do it".
Several groups with a wide range of agendas have scheduled events throughout Netanyahu's visit, among the participants, the families of the Israeli hostages.
Yotam Cohen traveled from Israel to D.C. as his family continues pressuring the Israeli Prime Minister to reach a deal so his younger brother, Nimrod Cohen, can come home.
"We want to remind him that even here, on the other side of the world we are here, and to show him the truth that there are still 120 people, hostages that are awaiting to be freed," he told WUSA9.
It has been nearly 300 days since Yotam has seen his brother. Nimrod Cohen, was 19 when was taken hostage in Gaza on Oct. 7 from Nahal Oz. His family says he is a soldier with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Yotam Cohen says he and his father refused to participate in a Monday meeting between the Israeli Prime Minister and the hostage families in D.C.
"We don't want any words. We just want actions. We want a deal, and until there is a deal we are boycotting him," he added.
Also participating is Efrat Moshokoviz, the aunt of Naama Levy will be attending Prime Minister Netanyahu's joint address to Congress. A video showed Levy being kidnapped and dragged out of a jeep in Gaza.
During the meeting, Netanyahu said they were getting, "determined to return everyone."