...
By Rachel Dobkin
Weekend Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A video of maggots dumped around the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly staying on his trip to the U.S., has gone viral on social media on Wednesday.
Netanyahu arrived in Washington, D.C. on Monday. The trip comes amid Israel's war in Gaza which began after Hamas attacked the Middle Eastern country on October 7, 2023. Hamas' attack killed roughly 1,200 Israelis and some 250 hostages were taken. About 120 hostages remain captive in Gaza, with a third of them believed to be dead, according to Israeli officials. Meanwhile, over 39,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military operation, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
A video posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday at around 11 a.m. ET by breaking news X account Raw Alerts showed piles of maggots on a banquet table, with the American flag and the Israeli flag in the background. Crickets were also filmed hopping on the floors of the hotel. The video has already gotten 803,900 views as of around 3 p.m. ET.
Read More on News
In a statement to Newsweek on Wednesday afternoon, the Watergate Hotel said via email: "We are aware of the social media video circulating on multiple platforms involving The Watergate Hotel and the unfortunate incident that occurred at the property yesterday.
"Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our guests and staff. We took the necessary steps to ensure the property has been sanitized and is now operating as normal. We are cooperating fully with authorities, who are handling the situation. As this is an open case, we are unable to provide any further details at this time."
People on social media said that the incident was caused by pro-Palestinian protesters. But those reports have not been confirmed.
Newsweek reached out to Netanyahu's office via online form and the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia via email for comment on Wednesday afternoon.
Netanyahu was invited by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Lousiana, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky to give an address during a joint session of Congress on Wednesday.
"Through thick and thin, in good times and in bad, Israel will always be your loyal friend and your steadfast partner. On behalf of the people of Israel, I came here today to say thank you, America," Netanyahu said during his address.
Netanyahu's speech comes at a time of great divide among Americans on the Israel-Hamas war between those who stand by Israel and their right to self-defense and those who stand by the innocent Palestinians in Gaza and call Israel's military operation a genocide. Some Democratic lawmakers boycotted Netanyahu's speech and there was a large protest from pro-Palestian activists outside the Capitol on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for the October 7th attack and Irsael's military operation in Gaza.
Netanyahu will also meet with President Joe Biden on Thursday to discuss a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Tensions between Biden and Netanyahu have grown in recent months as the president remains a staunch supporter of Israel while acknowledging the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden proposed a three-phase ceasefire and hostage release deal in May but Israel and Hamas have yet to agree to it.
...
Update 7/24/24, 3:23 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 7/24/24, 5:34 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines