Protests greet Netanyahu in Washington (VIDEOS)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been greeted by crows of pro-Palestinian protesters on the streets of Washington DC, as he arrived to ask for more support from the US Congress.

Wednesday’s address is Netanyahu’s fourth before the US lawmakers, surpassing the previous historic record of three speeches by British leader Winston Churchill.

Capitol Hill was fortified ahead of the event, with dozens of Washington streets closed and patrolled by heavily armed police, some brought in from other jurisdictions.

‘Free Palestine,’ ‘Stop War Crimes in Gaza,’ ‘End All Aid to Israel’ and ‘War Criminal’ were just some of the signs carried by protesters, who picketed the Capitol, the White House, and the Watergate Hotel, where Netanyahu was reportedly staying.

“Netanyahu come outside, we’re arresting you for genocide!” chanted one group of demonstrators.

Overnight, groups of activists poured red dye into fountains outside the congressional complex and projected signs on nearby buildings calling the Israeli leader a war criminal.

Crowds of protesters also picketed the Watergate Hotel, making noise so Netanyahu – or any other guests or residents – could not sleep.

“BIBI WAR CRIMINAL” was also projected on the hotel facade.

According to one report, pro-Palestinian activists also pulled fire alarms inside the hotel and released worms and crickets inside

Addressing Congress on Wednesday afternoon, Netanyahu claimed that “for all we know, Iran is funding the anti-Israel protests that are going on right now, outside this building.”

Senator Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), who heads the foreign relations committee, presided over the joint session of Congress, as Vice President Kamala Harris was at a campaign event in Indiana and the next most senior senator, Patty Murray (D-Washington), chose not to attend.

Dozens of Democrats from both the House and the Senate decided to snub the event, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee members Dick Durbin, Tim Kaine, Jeff Merkley and Brian Schatz. Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were among the thirty House members who boycotted Netanyahu’s speech.

The sole Republican to snub Netanyahu, Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, called the speech “political theater” and said he didn’t “feel like being a prop” for the Israeli leader.