Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech to a joint meeting of Congress, urging American leaders to provide more bipartisan support to Israel during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu criticized the protesters who have spoken out against the war and highlighted the casualties among Palestinian civilians. The prime minister was invited to speak primarily by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has been critical of President Joe Biden’s response to the war.
During his address, Netanyahu compared Hamas’ terror attack on October 7, 2023, to the attacks on Pearl Harbor and 9/11, calling it “a day that will forever live in infamy.” He emphasized the need for American support and referenced Winston Churchill’s quote, “Give us the tools and we will finish the job,” in his appeal to American leaders.
While House Republicans applauded Netanyahu’s remarks, many House Democrats remained seated and did not clap. The prime minister spoke about the hostages taken on October 7, directing the audience’s attention to Noa Argamani, an Israeli woman who was abducted from the Nova music festival and later rescued.
Netanyahu initially praised Biden’s support for Israel following the attacks of October 7, lauding him for calling Hamas “sheer evil” and dispatching two aircraft carriers to the Middle East. However, he later thanked former President Donald Trump for brokering the Abraham Accords and recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Republicans stood up in unity when Netanyahu thanked Trump, highlighting the political divide.
Netanyahu’s speech took place amid protests in the U.S. Capitol complex, where some demonstrators turned violent. The prime minister addressed the protests during his speech, mocking the protesters and stating that they stand with Hamas. He also criticized school administrators for not doing enough to condemn antisemitism and praised fraternity brothers at the University of North Carolina for protecting an American flag during a conflict with protesters.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who had previously called for new elections in Israel, attended the address despite his disagreements with Netanyahu. Representative Rashida Tlaib, the House’s only Palestinian member, attended but remained silent throughout the event. Vice President Kamala Harris was absent from the event, attending a campaign event instead. The White House announced that Harris and Biden would meet with Netanyahu separately on Thursday.
Large-scale anti-Israel protests in support of the Palestinian cause earlier this year forced Biden to modify his support for Israel. Congress provided $26 billion in aid to Israel, including funds for missile defense systems and humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
In conclusion, Netanyahu’s speech sought to secure greater support for Israel from American leaders amidst the ongoing conflict with Hamas. He emphasized the need for tools to achieve total victory over Hamas and expressed gratitude to both Biden and Trump, highlighting the political divisions within the United States. The speech took place amid protests and controversy surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and it remains to be seen how Biden’s new lame-duck status will affect his ability to make progress on ending the fighting.
