At Netanyahu’s Watergate quarters, residents irked by protests, security (2024)

A car wove between the looming black fences and concrete street barricades that stretched for blocks to reach the white tent. Beneath the canopy, it stopped so one police officer could search the trunk while another popped open the hood. A third questioned the driver while a fourth led a police dog around the vehicle.

For the hundreds of residents, guests, employees and business owners at the storied Watergate complex in D.C., this is what entering and exiting their home or place of work this week looks like. Their routines have been upended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stay at the Watergate Hotel and — whether it be because of political disagreements or daily inconveniences — many residents are upset the hotel allowed the embattled world leader to stay at the complex.

Resident Lisa-Joy Zgorski, who has lived at the Watergate for nine years, said the complex is no stranger to VIP guests. In fact, her neighbors used to include Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and former Senate majority leader Robert J. Dole. She remembered President Biden coming to pay Dole a visit, but said she could not remember the complex or law enforcement ever going to this length to protect a visitor.

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Israel is sending a delegation to resume negotiations after weeks of deadlock over a cease-fire deal in Gaza, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed, as a senior U.S. administration official hailed “a breakthrough on a critical impasse.”

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“The political pursuits that are embodied in the visit are on the backs of those of us thousands of Americans that live or work in or around the Watergate,” Zgorski said.

Netanyahu arrived in Washington this week and addressed a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday as his government approaches its tenth month of war in Gaza. Dozens of lawmakers refused to attend his speech, in which he brushed off criticisms that Israel’s government has committed war crimes. His presence in Washington has been met with mass protests condemning the Israeli leader’s “genocide” against Palestinians.

In addition to assembling near Union Station and inside the rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building, demonstrators gathered outside the Watergate and some claimed to be responsible for releasing swarms of maggots, mealworms and crickets at the hotel Tuesday night.

By Wednesday evening, at least 30 police vehicles lined the streets near the complex. Both D.C. police and Secret Service officers stood guard. One passerby asked a nearby police officer which roads were closed.

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“All of them,” the officer replied. “Avoid the area at all costs.”

Among the street closures were parts of Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, Virginia Avenue, Jamal Khashoggi Way, F Street and 27th Street, according to a D.C. police news release.

Residents received an email Thursday stating that, because of an extension to Netanyahu’s stay, the fencing and barricades will remain up until Sunday — meaning the heightened security will have lasted an entire week. Netanyahu is scheduled to be in Mar-a-Lago on Friday, and it is unclear when he is set to leave the United States.

The historic Watergate complex, best known for housing the Democratic National Committee office burglars connected to President Richard M. Nixon’s reelection campaign were caught bugging, consists of six buildings. The 10 acres include the five-star hotel, three luxury apartment buildings and two office buildings. The complex has its own restaurants, bakery, dry cleaner and salon.

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Public safety officials said some portions of the complex have remained open for businesses, residences and guests, potentially explaining how people were able to enter the hotel to release vermin and pull fire alarms in the building in protest on Tuesday.

But the area has generally been under tight security this week. Residents of the Watergate complex said U.S. Secret Service and D.C. police set up checkpoints over the weekend to vet anyone entering the property.

Zgorski took her car Sunday to pick up a prescription for her mother, who lives with her. She said she was stopped three times when trying to reenter the complex.

Since then, things have only worsened, she said. She has had to cancel her mother’s physical therapy appointments and, after hearing from a colleague whose commute tripled due to the road closures, has spent the week working from home. She said she wondered why the hundreds of Watergate residents could use Zoom to do their work but Netanyahu could not.

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She said residents of Watergate South, Zgorski’s apartment building, did not receive word from Watergate management of any heightened security until Sunday, when the barricades had already been erected.

Representatives for Watergate apartments and the hotel did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.

Zgorski acknowledges that living in D.C. often means tolerating street closures for motorcades or heightened security to protect foreign dignitaries.

“I don’t want to convey that we at the Watergate are a bunch of whiners, especially because these are minor inconveniences compared to everything else going on in the world.”

However, she said feels much more upset at the complex for sacrificing its residents’ peace for a polarizing figure than she did about any interruptions caused by the NATO summit earlier in the month.

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“It would have felt differently to undergo this much security for 28 world leaders engaging in peacekeeping, engaging in preserving traditions and moving forward and solving issues than it does protecting one of the world’s most controversial figures,” Zgorski said.

For other residents, the heightened security measures have posed accessibility issues. Patricia Broderick, a five-year Watergate resident, said she had to wheel her wheelchair nearly three blocks from where she parked her car to reach the security checkpoint. Even then, she said the security checkpoint was not wheelchair accessible.

Although there were only a couple of steps for officers to lift Broderick’s wheelchair down, she said “one step for a wheelchair might as well be Mount Everest.”

Broderick said she felt “captive” inside the complex. She made it clear she did not blame any of the protesters for exercising their rights. However, she said she wished she felt confident she could leave her home and be able to return without relying on others to assist her.

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“Why is their right to protest — which I fully agree they have — higher than my right to my home?” Broderick said.

Broderick said she understood the need for security but wished the complex had taken steps to mitigate disruptions to residents’ lives, especially those with health conditions.

“I understand the risk and I appreciate the measures being taken,” Broderick said. “I can live with all the noise and I can live with security but I can’t live with not being able to go home. And right now I’m afraid to leave my house.”

At Netanyahu’s Watergate quarters, residents irked by protests, security (2024)

FAQs

Why are Israelis protesting Netanyahu? ›

The protesters have been demanding that the government secure a Gaza ceasefire deal immediately to allow for the return of captives taken by Hamas from Israel, early elections and the resignation of Netanyahu.

Why is Netanyahu still in power? ›

Netanyahu has repeatedly faced seemingly-certain political death during his decades-long career in politics, but has managed to survive and become Israel's longest-serving prime minister in part by tending to the interests of allies in his governing coalition who will keep him in power.

What did Benjamin Netanyahu do? ›

Between 1984–1988 Netanyahu was Israel's ambassador to the United Nations. Netanyahu rose to prominence after election as chair of Likud in 1993, becoming leader of the opposition. In the 1996 general election, Netanyahu became the first Israeli prime minister elected directly by popular vote, and its youngest.

When did Netanyahu become prime minister again? ›

Prime Minister of Israel
Incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu since 29 December 2022
Prime Minister's Office
StyleHis Excellency
ResidenceBeit Aghion
11 more rows

Did Biden call Netanyahu? ›

Readout of President Joe Biden's Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. President Biden spoke this morning with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The Prime Minister congratulated the United States on the occasion of Independence Day, and thanked the President for his continued and steadfast support for Israel's security ...

How popular is Netanyahu in Israel? ›

A Channel 12 survey conducted on Wednesday of 500 voters representing a cross-section of Israeli society asked “Who is better suited to serve as prime minister?” It found 36% chose Netanyahu and 30% Gantz. The margin of error was 4.4%. Last month, Gantz was ahead 35% to 29%.

What does Netanyahu mean in Hebrew? ›

Netanyahu (Hebrew: נְתַנְיָהוּ, "Yah/God has given") is a surname. Benjamin Netanyahu (born 1949), Prime Minister of Israel 1996–1999, 2009–2021, and 2022–present.

Why did Benjamin Netanyahu change his name? ›

It was a common practice for Zionist immigrants at the time to adopt a Hebrew name. Nathan Mileikowsky began signing some of the articles he wrote "Netanyahu", the Hebrew version of his first name, and his son adopted this as his family name. He also used the pen name "Nitay."

Is Israel losing support? ›

Between 2020 and 2024, sympathy for Israelis slightly decreased to 56%, while sympathy for Palestinians increased to 27%. In short, Israel is losing net sympathy among Catholics, although Catholics continue to be more than twice as likely to say they are sympathetic to Israelis than to the Palestinians.

What is Benjamin Netanyahu's real name? ›

Benjamin (Binyamin) "Bibi" Netanyahu is the current Prime Minister of Israel. He was born in Tel Aviv on October 21, 1949 to mother Tzila Segal and father Benzion Netanyahu (originally Mileikowsky). One year after the establishment of the state of Israel.

Does Israel believe in two-state solutions? ›

The implementation of a two-state solution would involve the establishment of an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel. The two-state solution is widely supported in the international community, as well as by the Palestinian Authority; however, Israel rejects the creation of a Palestinian state.

Who is the current president in Israel for now? ›

President Isaac Herzog is a public official who has been working in the service of the State of Israel and its society for over twenty years.

Who is more powerful in Israel, president or prime minister? ›

Executive branch

The Prime Minister is the most powerful political figure in the country.

Who is the leader of Israel in 2024? ›

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed his nation Wednesday after the deaths of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hezbollah commander Fu'ad Shukr. Israel has delivered “crushing blows” to its enemies in the last few days, he said in a televised statement.

Why is Israel attacking Gaza? ›

On 7 October 2023, Palestinian militants attacked Israel, killing 1,143 people (mostly civilians) and beginning the Israel–Hamas war. Israel responded by bombing the Gaza Strip and launching an invasion that has killed more than 34,000 Gazans as of April 2024.

What did Biden said about Israel? ›

And they've made it clear: They want to occupy Gaza, they want to keep fighting for years, and the hostages are not a priority to them. Well, I've urged the leadership in Israel to stand behind this deal, despite whatever pressure comes. And to the people of Israel, let me say this.

Why is Israel boycotted? ›

The specific objective of Israel boycotts varies; the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement calls for boycotts of Israel "until it meets its obligations under international law", and the purpose of the Arab League's boycott of Israel was to prevent Arab states and others to contribute to Israel's economy.

What is the Israel's stage largest protest since war began to increase pressure on Netanyahu? ›

Israelis stage largest protest since war began to increase pressure on Netanyahu Tens of thousands of Israelis thronged central Jerusalem on Sunday in the largest anti-government protest since the country went to war in October.

Has Netanyahu fled Israel? ›

However, these reports surmised from a screenshot of a flight tracking service, flight radar have been unequivocally debunked. Prime Minister Netanyahu took to his official social media handle to share a photo, showcasing the War Cabinet convening at Kirya in Tel Aviv.

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