Protesters clash with Netanyahu’s defense of Gaza war at Capitol

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, telling U.S. lawmakers, “our enemies are your enemies,” in a landmark speech aimed at bolstering support for the war in Gaza. As BBC reports, the speech was marked by protests both inside and outside the Capitol.

“When we fight Iran, we're fighting the most radical and murderous enemy of the United States of America,” Netanyahu said. “Our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory.”

Netanyahu received enthusiastic applause from mostly Republican members of Congress during his fourth address to a joint session. However, the event underscored deepening political divides over the Gaza conflict, with dozens of Democratic lawmakers absent and thousands of protesters demonstrating outside.

Protesters gathered on Capitol Hill, some displaying banners labeling Netanyahu a “wanted war criminal,” referencing an arrest warrant sought by the International Criminal Court prosecutor. Capitol Police reported five arrests inside the building for attempts to disrupt the speech.

Addressing the demonstrators, Netanyahu remarked, “You have officially become Iran's useful idiots.”

Netanyahu repeatedly referenced Iran, describing an “axis of terror” that he said threatens the U.S., Israel, and the Arab world, framing it as a “clash of barbarism against civilizations.” He argued that Iranian proxy forces had attacked American targets and asserted that Iran believes it must first conquer the Middle East to challenge the U.S.

“In the heart of the Middle East, standing in Iran's way, is one proud pro-American democracy: my country, the state of Israel,” he said.

Netanyahu’s hour-long speech sought further U.S. military aid, deflecting criticism of Israel and framing the Gaza war as a battle for survival. He expressed gratitude for decades of U.S. military assistance, claiming Israeli intelligence had saved many American lives, and called for expedited aid to hasten the end of the Gaza conflict and prevent a broader regional war.

Quoting Winston Churchill's World War II appeal to Americans, Netanyahu said, “Give us the tools and we'll finish the job.”

Netanyahu addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza briefly, asserting Israel provides enough food aid to ensure 3,000 calories per person, but claimed Hamas diverts the aid.

Outlining a vision for Gaza post-war, he called for a “demilitarized and deradicalized” enclave under Israeli military control and proposed a civilian administration run by Palestinians not seeking Israel’s destruction. He made no mention of a two-state solution, a goal supported by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The speech highlighted political divisions as at least 39 lawmakers, mostly Democrats, skipped the address. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi deemed Netanyahu’s visit “inappropriate,” and Vice President Harris cited a scheduling conflict.

Throughout the speech, Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American Congress member, held a placard reading “guilty of genocide” and “war criminal.”

Netanyahu also thanked former President Donald Trump for moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. The two are set to meet in Florida later this week.

In Israel, families of hostages held in Gaza watched the speech in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where the address was broadcast silently with Hebrew subtitles. Shortly after the speech, the Israeli military announced the retrieval of two hostages’ bodies from Gaza, highlighting the ongoing despair among families of the 251 hostages taken during the October 7 attack on southern Israel.

Israel’s nine-month campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 39,000 deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The offensive began after a surprise Hamas attack on October 7 that killed about 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 251 hostages.

[Information sourced from BBC]