Pro-Palestinian protesters have had their charges dropped after being arrested near the U.S. Capitol during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.
“The District of Columbia attorney general’s office said the protesters who will not be prosecuted had been charged with crossing police lines and disorderly conduct for inciting violence and causing unreasonable fear,” the Washington Times reported.
“Charges are still pending against five people arrested during the mayhem that included burning American flags and scrawling swastikas and antisemitic slogans on monuments in front of D.C.’s Union Station,” the outlet continued.
Netanyahu visited Washington this week to hold talks with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and members of Congress.
These discussions took place against the backdrop of Biden’s recent exit from the presidential race, with Harris actively campaigning for the presidency. Harris is currently shaping her campaign team and refining her foreign policy, which includes her stance on the Gaza conflict.
Netanyahu also met with former president Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate during his visit.
Trump, known for his strong pro-Israel stance, officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017 and relocated the U.S. embassy there the following year.
However, tensions have risen between Trump and Netanyahu, particularly after Netanyahu congratulated Biden on his 2020 election win and because of Israel’s intelligence oversight on Oct. 7. Trump has warned Netanyahu of significant repercussions if the hostages are not repatriated promptly, emphasizing this point in his speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last week.
