“We consider it a disgrace that Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited to speak to both houses of Congress,” Becker said. “We will be protesting in the many, many thousands to say that he should not be welcomed.”

Organizers estimated 5,000 people will attend that protest — held on the day of Netanyahu’s address — according to a permit application submitted to the National Park Service.

On Tuesday, families of hostages — many traveling from Israel — will gather on the National Mall to share the stories of those taken in the Oct. 7 attack and express hope for their release, said Bar Ben Yaakov and Matan Sivek, an Israeli couple living in the District who are leading advocacy efforts in the United States for families of hostages.

“Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. has added a lot of stress and uncertainty for the families,” Yaakov said. “Many of them, including us, were really hoping he would travel to the U.S. with the good news of having sealed the deal.”

These protests come after weeks of deadlock over a cease-fire deal.

About 45 relatives of hostages will gather on the National Mall at 6 p.m. Tuesday and hold posters of the hostages still being held and demand their release.

On Wednesday, there are several demonstrations planned:

• At 10 a.m. in the park south of Union Station between First Street and Delaware Avenue NE, a Jewish group — T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights — is organizing a morning prayer to end the war and release all hostages.
• At 11 a.m., thousands are expected to gather at 3rd Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue to demand Netanyahu be arrested. Demonstrators will loop around the perimeter of the U.S. Capitol holding a red banner as a symbolic “red line” against the war in Gaza. Protesters will be traveling on buses from several states, including Maine, Indiana, North Carolina and Georgia.
• At noon, UnXeptable, a grass-roots organization of Israeli expatriates, is holding a rally at the Upper Senate Park to express support for their home country, while criticizing Netanyahu. Offir Gutelzon, the group’s founder who is traveling from Palo Alto, Calif., for the protest, said that those planning to gather “both love Israel and … believe that what Netanyahu is doing to the hostages and most of the Israelis is wrong.”
• At 1 p.m., there will be a “Peace & Justice Bloc” of Palestinians, Israelis, Jews, Arabs and allies gathering near the U.S. Capitol to demand a cease-fire.

U.S. Capitol Police have “been working around-the-clock with our federal, state and local partners” to prepare for Netanyahu’s visit, according to a statement. Although Capitol Police declined to share specific measures it is taking to accommodate the expected crowds, the agency did say it plans to add more officers, including those from outside agencies.

“We anticipate a large number of demonstrators to show up,” Capitol Police said in the statement.

D.C. police spokesman Paris Lewbel said in a statement that while there are no known threats, the agency is working with federal law enforcement partners to monitor the demonstrations.

As of Friday evening, D.C. police have not announced any street closures. Follow @DCPoliceTraffic on X for the most up-to-date information. Capitol Police said the agency will provide information about road closures and public access to congressional buildings closer to Netanyahu’s visit.

This is a developing story and will be updated.