Capitol cops deploy pepper spray at D.C. protest as Netanyahu addresses Congress

The United States Capitol Police on Wednesday began deploying pepper spray to control anti-Israel protests at the United States Capitol building that they said had turned violent.

"Part of the crowd has started to become violent at First Street and Constitution Avenue, NW," wrote the Capitol Police. "The crowd failed to obey our order to move back from our police line. We are deploying pepper spray towards anyone trying to break the law and cross that line."

According to Raw Story's Matt Laslo, police radio chatter also indicates that Capitol police have started using gas on the protesters, with one female officer warning colleagues over the radio that "it's popping off, stay safe."

The demonstrators are in Washington to protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is delivering an address before both houses of Congress.

Netanyahu has faced widespread criticism over his handling of his country's war against terrorist organization Hamas, which sparked the current conflict by massacring thousands of Israeli civilians on October 7th, 2023.

Since then, it's been estimated that more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli retaliation.