WASHINGTON — Pro-Palestinian supporters gathered outside the Watergate Hotel in D.C. Monday to protest the arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu is in the District to speak to members of Congress after an invite from top House GOP leaders. He also plans to speak to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
His visit prompted increased security including additional police officers and fencing around the hotel.
The timing of his visit, just one day after Biden announced he’s dropping out of the presidential race, can prove to be a confusing and challenging time, according to political experts.
Since Harris has been endorsed by Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee, the future of Israel-U.S. relations and policy could be indicative of his time here this week.
“This makes Netanyahu's job a little bit more confusing because he doesn't know Kamala Harris the way he knows Joe Biden,” George Mason University Political Science Professor Jeremy Mayer said. “The Democrats, by replacing Biden, are dodging a bullet in a way because there's so much anger about Biden's embrace about what they consider to be a genocide.”
The political tension has intensified since the Israel-Hamas war over the military offensive in Gaza. Calls for a ceasefire, including from Israeli people, have only grown to help bring hostages home.
“I’d say to the prime minister to please keep Israel a bipartisan matter in the United States,” said Ron Halber of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington. “In the last six months, I would expect an unhindered President Biden, who doesn't have to worry about re-election, flexing his muscles and priorities and I think the prime minister will come under pressure to come to a ceasefire agreement.”
Netanyahu has been accused of prolonging the war to his benefit, but that could be the detriment of his government.
With eyes set on Harris, protestor Hazami Barmada questions her as a candidate. Despite who is chosen, Barmada believes talks of ceasefire are over.
“I don't know her many issues so I don't know who I'm getting,” said Barmada. “We need to be talking about a complete change in the relationship with Israel."
There are protests planned outside the Capitol and on the National Mall on Wednesday.