Protesters rally against Netanyahu's Washington visit

Protesters confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s motorcade in Washington, D.C., on Monday, shouting “War criminal!” and “F*** you Bibi” as he arrived for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and an address to Congress. The demonstrations, held outside the White House and Blair House, drew pro-Palestinian activists and liberal Jewish groups, including J Street, New Jewish Narrative, and UnXeptable DC, according to Haaretz. Waving Palestinian flags, demonstrators carried signs reading “Stop US / Israel war machine,” “Expose Israel’s control of Washington,” and “Palestinian human rights matter too,” the Middle East Monitor reported.

One protester, identified as Haitham Arafat, told Press TV, “Sooner or later you will be prosecuted. You will not get away with the crimes you committed. It’s a matter of time. We will not give up. We will not rest until both of you are prosecuted.” The visit, Netanyahu’s seventh since Trump’s second inauguration, came amid an escalating war between Israel and Iran. On the same day, U.S. Central Command said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard launched multiple ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in the Middle East; all were intercepted, according to a CENTCOM statement cited by Haaretz.

Netanyahu departed Israel from an air force base, breaking with custom by barring journalists from accompanying him, Haaretz noted. Upon arrival, he was met by the protests organized by pro-Palestinian and liberal Jewish groups. The White House described his meeting with Trump as “productive, positive,” and Netanyahu called it “one of our best ever,” according to Haaretz.

On July 28, CENTCOM reported intercepting Iranian missiles fired at a U.S. base in Jordan, according to Haaretz. Additionally, Israel launched new airstrikes across Gaza that day, killing at least one person and wounding 22 others, the Sunday Guardian Live reported, citing local authorities. The Gaza health ministry said total Palestinian deaths since October 2023 had reached 73,333, according to the same source.

Following his White House meeting, Netanyahu was scheduled to attend a memorial service for the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime supporter of Israel, the Middle East Monitor reported.