Dave Matthews was one of thousands of protesters who gathered in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday (July 24) to condemn the U.S. Congress’ reception of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a moment in history the musician called “shameful” in an on-site interview.
Speaking to Al Jazeera near the Capitol, Matthews said, “I just think it’s terrible when the majority of the world is looking at this man and what he’s doing in Gaza, and then also what he’s overseeing in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, that we’re welcoming into the so-called sacred halls of our government.”
“This has been an ongoing struggle for people that just want to have dignity and be able to live independent lives and dream of a better future,” he continued in support of Palestinians during the on-camera interview, which showed other protesters milling behind him. “This man is the pinnacle of the obstacle toward that freedom and that we have him visiting the country is obscene. It’s a disgusting show of support for someone that doesn’t deserve our support.
“I’m ashamed that my tax dollars are going to the brutalizing of an entire people,” Matthews added. “It’s shameful. And I’m ashamed that our government is welcoming him here.”
According to The Associated Press, thousands were present Wednesday to protest Netanyahu’s visit and call for an end to U.S. aid to Israel amid the country’s ongoing war against Hamas, which has claimed more than 39,000 Palestinian lives. The conflict began after the Palestinian terrorist group killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages in its Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.
Police deployed pepper spray into the crowd on Wednesday after some protesters became “violent” and “failed to obey” orders to move back, according to authorities. Nine people were arrested in D.C., including four who were charged with assaulting an officer outside Union Station.
At one point, some demonstrators attempted to block Netanyahu’s route to the Capitol but were removed from the street by police. Once inside, the prime minister called the protesters “idiots” and said that Israel intends to “fight until we achieve victory,” per CNN.
The following day, Netanyahu met separately with President Joe Biden and Vice President/presumptive 2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris at the White House, where the leaders reportedly negotiated a ceasefire deal. On Friday, Netanyahu plans to meet with former president Donald Trump in Florida.
See Matthews’ comments on Netanyahu’s visit to Congress below.
