Watergate Hotel confirms insects were released during Israeli PM Netanyahu's stay: report

On Wednesday, a video went viral on social media of maggots and crickets crawling around the Watergate Hotel during Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stay. The fire alarm was also reportedly pulled. The iconic Washington, DC establishment has since confirmed that the incident occurred.

The release of insects and pulling of the fire alarm were one of the myriad ways anti-Israel agitators protested Netanyahu's visit to Washington DC. On the streets outside the hotel and the United States Capitol, hundreds gathered to vocalize their displeasure as he addressed lawmakers with some resorting to violence.

"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," the hotel wrote in a statement, per The Daily Wire's Kassy Akiva. "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."

The hotel explained that staff was "cooperating fully with authorities, who are handling the situation," but that, "as this is an open case, we are unable to provide any further details at this time."

As the New York Post reports, a local law enforcement official said the conference room, even though it had American and Israel flags set up, was "not part of our agreed upon security plan with the Israeli security services and our local partners." The outlet also received confirmation from the hotel about the incident. 

Secret Service spokesman Abel Trevino, who was working on the visit said, “The Watergate facility has an expansive footprint and remains open for businesses, residences and guests. At no time was there any threat to our protectees.”

In a post on Instagram, the Palestinian Youth Movement's DC, Maryland, and Virginia chapter celebrated the act, writing, "There will be no peace, there will be no rest, until the war criminal's arrest."

"Protestors reportedly manufactured chaos at the Watergate Hotel last night so that Netanyahu, Israeli Mossad agents, and the Secret Service had no peace as they continue to terrorize our people," the caption read. "Mealworms and maggots (not talking about Netanyahu) were reportedly left on their banquet tables, and crickets were released on multiple floors of the hotel. Fire alarms were triggered for over 30 minutes on multiple floors to ensure that there will be no rest before Netanyahu and Congress disgrace themselves in front of the world for failing to achieve any of their military and political objectives. May their dreams be haunted by the death of our people and decay of their society."