Portlanders protest Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's address to Congress

Protesters are expected to gather in downtown Portland on Wednesday to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to U.S. Congress, as Democrats boycott the address and hold him responsible for the deaths of thousands of Palestinians.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Several protesters showed up in Pioneer Square in downtown Portland Wednesday to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the U.S. Congress to request additional support for the Israel-Hamas war on Wednesday.

A KOIN 6 News crew at the rally says there are 100 or so people there as of 11:15 a.m., along with a handful of Portland police officers.

Several leading Democrats have chosen to boycott the Netanyahu address as large protests form around the U.S. Capitol. Protesters say they hold Netanyahu responsible for the deaths of thousands of Palestinians since Hamas' attack in October 2023.

In a statement on social media, Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici said she would not be attending the prime minister's address.

"Israel is an ally, but Prime Minister Netanyahu has supported policies and military actions that are causing harm to Israelis and Palestinians," Rep. Bonamici said. "He has not done enough to find a resolution that will end the war and free the hostages, and I fear that this address will only exacerbate political divisions in the United States and intensify the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis."

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.