Protesters demand Gaza cease-fire, arms embargo against Israel in US Capitol sit-in

WASHINGTON

Hundreds of Jewish protesters gathered inside the Capitol building Tuesday to demand a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and an arms embargo against Israel amid its onslaught on the Palestinian enclave.

Activists with Jewish Voice for Peace staged a sit-in in the Cannon Rotunda, wearing shirts that read: "Stop Arming Israel" and "Not in Our Name."

Capitol Police said officers are arresting the group for illegally demonstrating inside the rotunda. Social media footage showed police handcuffing protesters.

"Demonstrations are not allowed inside the Congressional Buildings. We told the people, who legally entered, to stop or they would be arrested. They did not stop, so we are arresting them," police wrote on X.

The protest occurred one day before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress.

Additional protests are expected on Wednesday.