Netanyahu in DC live updates: Thousands protest in DC during Israeli leader's address

WASHINGTON - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to bolster U.S. support for his country's fight against Hamas in a speech to Congress Wednesday that sparked boycotts by some top Democrats and drew thousands of protesters to the nation’s capital.

Protests began ahead of Netanyahu's address to Congress. In anticipation, police boosted security around the Capitol building and closed multiple roads in the area. Some law enforcement officers deployed pepper spray as protesters marched toward the US Capitol where Netanyahu was speaking.

Some of the demonstrators are condemning the Israeli military campaign overall, and others are expressing support for Israel while pressing Netanyahu to strike a cease-fire deal and bring home hostages.

"America and Israel must stand together," said Netanyahu, who wore a yellow pin expressing solidarity with the Israeli hostages held by Hamas. "When we stand together something really great happens: we win, they lose."

READ MORE: Netanyahu in DC: Street closures, parking restrictions, detours

UPDATE: 6:40 p.m. 

The United States Park Police issued a statement saying eight people were arrested at Columbus Circle. National Park Service conservators will begin the removal of paint from the statues and fountains at Columbus Circle on Thursday morning. It may take multiple treatments over several days to remove all of it. 
NPS asks the public to come forward with information to help identify members of the crowd who assaulted officers or damaged property.

UPDATE 6:32 p.m. 

FOX 5's Tom Fitzgerald reports police have recovered a large American flag that was taken down by protesters at Union Station. The Palestinian flags they were replaced with have also been taken down. 

UPDATE: 4:45 p.m.

Amtrak has notified travelers that due to the protest activity, there will be delays near Union Station and they will be required to show their tickets to gain station access. The statue of Christopher Columbus in front of Union Station has been defaced with the words "Free Palestine" and "Terrorists" painted on it. Additionally, the three massive flagpoles that typically display U.S. flags were stripped by the protesters and replaced with their own flags.

UPDATE: 4:04 p.m. 

Protesters have converged on Union Station. A large gathering is outside the major train station at 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, and FOX 5 has spotted multiple people being detained. 

UPDATE 3:05 p.m.

Netanyahu departs to applause after a nearly hour-long address to Congress in which he defended Israel's war in Gaza and condemned American protesters.

UPDATE 3:00 p.m.

"I want to say thank you, America, and thank you Senators and House members who continue to support us, continue to support Israel, continue to support the truth and see through the lies." - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 

UPDATE 2:23 p.m.

"President Biden and I have known each other for over 40 years. I want to thank him for half a century of friendship to Israel, and for being, as he says, a proud Zionist. Actually, he says a proud Irish American Zionist." -- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu 

UPDATE 2:14 p.m.

"Our world is in upheaval.... This is not a clash of civilizations. It's a clash between barbarism and civilization,. It's a clash between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life. For the forces of civilization to triumph America and Israel must stand together," says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his address to Congress. 

UPDATE 2:03 p.m.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Congress amid calls for cease-fire that would end the war & free remaining hostages.

UPDATE 1:50 p.m.

FOX News reports some protests turn violent as demonstrators push toward the Capitol building. Police are wearing gas masks. Some pepper spray deployed. 

UPDATE 1:30 p.m.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson delivered remarks before Wednesday’s address to Congress.

"Today and every day America must stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel," Johnson said.

The two men spoke briefly, podiums side by side, at the Capitol.

UPDATE 1:21 p.m.

According to D.C. police, five arrests for ‘crowding, obstructing, or incommoding’ have been made amid demonstrations downtown Wednesday ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress.

UPDATE 12:38 p.m.

Rolling road closures as groups of protesters march across downtown D.C. The demonstrations are blocking traffic at some intersections. 

UPDATE 12:24 p.m.

Protesters are marching through the streets of downtown D.C. on Wednesday ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress. Police have boosted security around the Capitol building and closed multiple roads in the area. 

UPDATE 11:52 a.m.

Demonstrators are on the move along the streets in downtown D.C. So far the demonstrations appear peaceful with no reports of arrests.

UPDATE 11:19 a.m.

Demonstrators flooded downtown D.C. on Wednesday chanting and holding protest signs. Rows of law enforcement officers lined the streets.

UPDATE 10 a.m.

Demonstrators gather in the streets surrounding the U.S. Capitol.

READ MORE: How to watch Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress

UPDATE 9:55 a.m.

Fox News correspondent Lucas Tomlinson posted these images to X on Wednesday morning of NYPD officers outside the U.S. Capitol:

UPDATE 9:04 a.m.

3rd and Constitution and 3rd and Pennsylvania, described as 'Protest Central,' by FOX 5’s Melanie Alnwick on Wednesday morning as large groups set up for speeches and demonstrations.

"I'm expecting thousands of people. Unfortunately, the NYPD just sent 200 police officers here. On the way up here we also just saw a police bus by the Capitol. So, while we're not expecting anything like that, we're certainly prepared to lock In safe." Kat, Netanyahu protester in D.C.

UPDATE  9 a.m.

The White House released the following statement Wednesday:

Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House

President Biden will welcome Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 25 to the White House. The leaders will discuss developments in Gaza and progress towards a ceasefire and hostage release deal and the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, including countering Iran’s threats to Israel and the broader region. Following the leaders’ meeting, they will meet together with the families of Americans held hostage by Hamas. The Vice President will also meet separately with Prime Minister Netanyahu on July 25.

UPDATE 8 a.m.

Fox News correspondent Lucas Tomlinson posted these images to X on Wednesday morning:

UPDATE 7 a.m.

On Wednesday, FOX 5’s Melanie Alnwick was in downtown Washington:

- A much bigger police presence.

- Bicycle racks surrounding the U.S. Capitol.

- Convoys of police trucks and support vehicles heading up Constitution Avenue toward Union Station.

- NYPD sent about 200 officers to D.C. to assist in protest actions and enhanced security. expected to remain through much of the week.

- Security resembling a ‘small fortress’ surrounds the Watergate Hotel complex. Heightened security around the city. 

- Road closures around the Israeli embassy in Northwest D.C.

- All tour busses have been diverted to Union Station.

- ANSWER Coalition currently has about two dozen buses on their way here to D.C. right now, some of them coming from as far away as Georgia and Indiana and Michigan. 

- Crowds could swell to as many as 5000.