Protesters Rally Outside White House Against Netanyahu Visit

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside the White House in Washington DC, United States, to protest the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the action, as reported by Anadolu Agency on Tuesday (28/7/2026), the demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and carried posters and banners criticising US support for Israel. “Stop the US/Israel war machine,” read one of the posters carried by the demonstrators during the action on Monday (27/7) local time. Another banner carried by the pro-Palestinian demonstrators read, “Expose Israel’s control over Washington.” Another poster stated, “Palestinian human rights matter too.” The demonstration took place as Netanyahu arrived in Washington DC on Monday (27/7) local time, for talks with Trump at the White House on Tuesday (28/7) local time. This marks the eighth meeting between Netanyahu and Trump since the US President assumed office for his second term. Before flying to the US, Netanyahu said that the issue of Iran would be the main topic of his discussions with Trump. The Israeli Prime Minister added that he would also attend a ceremony honouring the late US Senator Lindsey Graham during his visit. During his lifetime, Graham, a Republican, was known as a staunch supporter of Israel. Netanyahu’s latest visit to the US comes after a call for his arrest by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. In a public statement, Mamdani explicitly labelled Netanyahu a “war criminal”. Mamdani also urged the US federal government to enforce the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Netanyahu should he set foot on US soil. Netanyahu is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the ICC over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza war. In 2014, the ICC stated that it had reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for the charges. However, Trump has asserted that Netanyahu “will not be arrested” while in the US. Netanyahu himself claimed he was “not worried” about the calls for his arrest. The demand for his arrest was voiced by the pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallying outside the White House. “I demand that the US government comply with the ICC warrant and arrest Netanyahu,” said one demonstrator named Joey, as reported by Reuters. Another demonstrator said they were there to support Palestine. “Our hearts are with everyone in Palestine. We send love and prayers, and we do everything we can in the streets. And we keep praying,” they said.