Five activists arrested in US during protest against Netanyahu
Police in the United States have arrested five activists who were protesting against crimes committed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Dozens of people gathered outside the Washington Convention Center where Netanyahu, who arrived in the US on Sunday, is due to speak.
The protest was organized by Code Pink and other anti-Israeli groups.
The protesters held a sit-in on the first day of the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which is one the most powerful pro-Israel lobbying groups in the US.
The protesters, who were wearing Netanyahu’s masks and holding signs “Netanyahu is a War Criminal,” called for justice and equality for the Palestinians and an end to the Israeli apartheid.
The activists want to shut down the three-day event because they believe the AIPAC works to justify Israel's crimes. They also opened a twitter account, #ShutDownAIPAC.
The Israeli leader is expected to address the AIPAC conference on Monday and deliver his speech to Congress on Tuesday.
US House Speaker John Boehner invited Netanyahu to address Congress about Iran on March 3.
Netanyahu, who has repeatedly said that he is opposed to talks with Iran, is expected to use the speech against a possible nuclear deal.
The invitation sparked outrage among some American officials since the US and Iran are in the middle of crucial nuclear negotiations to reach a final agreement.
During a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on Wednesday, Secretary of State John Kerry warned Congress about the controversial speech.
Kerry reminded American officials that Netanyahu was also in the US in 2002 to push for the invasion of Iraq.
“The prime minister, as you will recall, was profoundly forward-leaning and outspoken about the importance of invading Iraq under George W. Bush, and we all know what happened with that decision,” Kerry said.
The top US diplomat was referring to testimony on the Middle East that Netanyahu delivered to Congress on Sept. 12, 2002.
During his speech, Netanyahu expressed strong support for Washington to oust former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Six months later, the US military bombarded the country.
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