A video clip that has gone viral on social media shows caterpillars and other insects being dumped at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly staying during his visit to the United States.
Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have now been killed, according to local officials, in Israel’s bombardment and invasion of the Gaza Strip, which began after Hamas attacks on October 7 last year that killed some 1,200 Israelis and took some 250 people hostage in Gaza.
In recent months, international anger over the Israeli “response” has grown, with more and more people accusing the Netanyahu regime of engaging in massacres, mass starvation, atrocities – and even genocide, with many arguing that the Israeli plan is to permanently expel large parts of the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip.
🚨#BREAKING: Pro-Palestine protesters had caused chaos at the Watergate Hotel releasing maggots onto Netanyahu’s table and setting off fire alarms
📌#Washington | #DC
Watch as Pro-Palestine protesters and other activists caused chaos at the Watergate Hotel last night in… pic.twitter.com/gCNCHvoQ8I
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) July 24, 2024
Opposition is also growing in the United States, and the clip posted on X shows piles of masks or caterpillars on a banquet table with the American and Israeli flags in the background. The clip was republished by several other accounts, which together have received millions of views.
“Took necessary action”
The action has been met with both praise and criticism, with some calling it unnecessary and childish vandalism of the hotel – while others point to the importance of making a clear statement against Netanyahu and the seemingly limitless American support for him, and showing that there are Americans who do not consider him welcome.
The fire alarm in the hotel was also reportedly set off, but it is unclear whether it had any major effect. Crickets were also reportedly released on the hotel floor.
Hotel officials regret the “unfortunate incident” and say that their “top priority is the safety and well-being of our guests and staff” and that they “took the necessary steps to ensure the property has been sanitized and is now operating as normal”.
