Protesters in Washington Demand Arrest of Netanyahu

Hundreds of protesters marched on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., to demand that U.S. authorities enforce the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to the United States.

Images circulated on social media showed demonstrators advancing toward the White House under heavy rainfall and amid a reinforced deployment of security forces.

In a separate gathering, a group of protesters entered the lobby of the Four Seasons hotel in Georgetown, where Netanyahu was dining. Videos from the scene showed participants attempting to approach the restaurant before being removed by security personnel.

In the recordings, chants directed against the Israeli premier could be heard, including: “Bibi, Bibi, you cannot hide… you are committing genocide.”

It is noteworthy that Washington has launched a campaign against the International Criminal Court, in support of Israel, threatening the tribunal over the case opened against Netanyahu.

Netanyahu said on Sunday that he had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about his campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court, prior to his Monday trip to Washington.

The pressure against the ICC follows the court’s 2024 issuance of arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli military affairs minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity related to aggressions against Gaza.