It appears a new type of bugging situation has struck the Watergate Hotel. A video released Wednesday showed a large number of maggots, crickets and other insects crawling around the hotel, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is staying during the pandemic. his controversial visit in Washington, DC
The Palestinian Youth Movement, a rights group, posted an Instagram video of the creatures, saying they were released in protest of Israel’s deadly war against Hamas, which has killed more than 39,000 Palestiniansaccording to Gaza officials.
The video shows maggots slowly moving across what appears to be a large conference table covered with a white tablecloth with glasses of water, against a backdrop of American and Israeli flags. The insects are also seen scurrying across marble floors elsewhere in the hotel, as well as fire alarms going off in the hotel hallways.
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The post claimed the critters were released on several floors and fire alarms were sounded for more than 30 minutes.
“Palestinian protesters caused chaos at the Watergate Hotel last night so that Netanyahu, Israeli Mossad agents and the secret service would have no peace as they continue to terrorize our people,” the message said.
The apparent act of creeping and frightening resistance came then Thousands of protesters gathered Protesters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday during Netanyahu’s address to a joint session of Congress, chanting “Free, free Palestine.” Police wearing tear gas shields prevented the crowd from approaching the Capitol, and officers deployed tear gas after some members of the crowd reportedly became violent.
“We are aware of the video circulating on social media on multiple platforms involving the Watergate Hotel and the unfortunate incident that occurred at the property yesterday,” the hotel said in a statement. “We have taken the necessary steps to ensure the property has been disinfected and is now operating normally. We are fully cooperating with the authorities as they manage the situation.”
A spokesperson for the Secret Service’s Joint Public Safety Information Center said: “The Watergate site has a large footprint and remains open to businesses, residences and visitors. At no time were our charges threatened.”
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The Palestinian Youth Movement’s website describes the group as a “grassroots movement of young Palestinians dedicated to the liberation of our homeland and our people.”
The people behind the incident remain unknown, although the Washington Post reported that an anonymous source sent the video to the DMV chapter of the Palestinian Youth Movement, which published it on their behalf.
