Anti-Israel protesters take part in a demonstration hosted by the Democratic Socialists of America, IfNotNow Movement, and Jewish Voice for Peace that turned violent in Washington, DC, Nov. 15, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/Leah Millis

US Capitol Police officers in riot gear clashed with anti-Israel demonstrators who gathered outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters in Washington, DC on Wednesday evening and blocked all entrances while demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.

The protest was organized by three advocacy groups and held in an area near the US Capitol. Lawmakers who were inside the DNC building said police had evacuated them from the area.

US Capitol Police said approximately 150 people were “illegally and violently protesting.” It said six officers were treated for injuries, ranging from cuts to being pepper sprayed and punched.

“One person has been arrested for assault on an officer,” Capitol Police said on social media.

The organizers rejected allegations that demonstrators were violent.

Protesters linked arms in front of the DNC building’s entrance, where some sang: “Which side are you on?” Officers pushed and pulled the protesters to try to remove them from the area, at one point shoving one protester down a staircase leading to the entrance.

Police also used pepper spray and fired projectiles containing chemical irritants.

Public demonstrations — both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel — have rippled around the world since Hamas terrorists rampaged through southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people, according to Israel, and taking about 240 hostages back to Gaza.

Israel has responded with a military campaign of air strikes and ground operations against terrorists in Hamas-controlled Gaza, with the goal of incapacitating the Palestinian terror group, which openly seeks the Jewish state’s destruction.

US Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) said he was evacuated from the DNC building after it “was surrounded by protesters who had blocked all modes of ingress and egress.”

He added: “We were rescued by armed officers who did not know the protesters’ intent; they knew only that Members of Congress were inside, could not leave, and that protesters would not let police through.”

A DNC spokesperson said officials were monitoring the situation outside the DNC headquarters and were in touch with US Capitol and local Washington police.

The organizers of the protest were IfNotNow, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Democratic Socialists of America — all of which oppose US policy in support of Israel.