Republicans seized instantly on photos of burning U.S. flags and vandalism at Washington, D.C.’s Union Station following Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech as proof of widespread antisemitism and a harbinger of what can occur underneath Democratic management of presidency.
“Professional-terror, anti-Israel agitators are vandalizing federal property, eradicating American flags, and changing them with Palestinian flags steps away from america Capitol,” mentioned Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), a member of Senate GOP management, on X. “That is inexcusable, and I count on them to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the legislation.”
“Hamas flags, slogans about killing Jews, harassment of @CapitolPolice officers, vandalism, burnt American flags, & hanged effigies of PM Netanyahu. These are simply a few of the appalling scenes at protests across the U.S. Capitol as we speak,” wrote Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the International Affairs Committee.
McCaul added: “This vitriolic conduct goes past peaceable protests and free speech. It’s going to solely additional incite violence. Our nation’s leaders on either side of the aisle should absolutely denounce this ugly, pro-Hamas extremism and clarify that antisemitism has no place in America.”
The U.S. Capitol Police mentioned in an announcement that “no flags underneath our safety have been eliminated or vandalized” although non-Capitol Law enforcement officials have been seen making mass arrests close to Union Station after the speech.
Different GOP lawmakers tried to tie the protests and vandalism — with out proof — to Vice President Kamala Harris, the doubtless Democratic nominee for president.
“The folks Kamala Harris is courting burn the American Flag,” wrote Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.). “Disgrace on them.”
Nonetheless, it wasn’t simply Republicans criticizing the protesters.
“I by no means imagined seeing the flag of a terror group holding eight Individuals hostage for 292 days waved within the streets of our nation’s Capitol,” Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) wrote alongside a picture of a protester waving the Hamas flag.
“The Jew hate and anti-American rubbish popping out of faculty campuses this spring did not finish with the final day of college,” wrote Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass). “School presidents, you are on discover: Implement your codes of conduct from day one of many fall semester.”
