Netanyahu calls out critics, protests
Leader says victory hangs on US, Israel unity
WASHINGTON – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday addressed a joint meeting of Congress as his nation continues to battle against Hamas in Gaza, laying out the ongoing threats in the region and criticizing his Democratic detractors in Washington and pro-Palestinian protesters across the U.S.
The mood was tense. Netanyahu entered the chamber to roaring applause from Republicans but was met with hardly any enthusiasm from Democrats. As he stepped down the aisle shaking hands with lawmakers, he walked by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who has called for new elections to replace Netanyahu. Schumer is the highest ranking Jewish elected official in the U.S.
The Israeli leader told Americans lawmakers, “My friends, I came to assure you today of one thing: We will win.” But he added that, in the face of ongoing clashes with Hamas and conflict with Iran and Iranian-backed groups, “For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together.”
Netanyahu also hit back at his Democratic critics in Congress and at protests that have broken out across the country over Israel’s handling of the conflict. He had especially harsh words for demonstrators, calling some of them “Iran’s useful idiots” and accusing them of standing “with evil.”
He also made one of his most divisive remarks when he said those who support pro-Palestinian protesters “should be ashamed of themselves.”
The vast majority of Democrats held back any applause in response and notably, the top three House Democrats –
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif. – stayed seated.
Netanyahu heaped praise on President Joe Biden for continuing to support Israel and thanked him for U.S. support in shooting down an Iranian drone attack earlier this year.
At the same time though, he made remarks clearly aimed at the Biden administration for some of its policy toward Israel, including the withholding of heavy bombs: “Give us the tools faster and we’ll finish the job faster.”
Scores of Democratic lawmakers skipped Netanyahu’s address in protest of his leadership in the war, which has left almost 40,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza health officials.
The dozens of Democrats not in attendance stretched beyond the progressive lawmakers who have been the Israeli leader’s most vocal critics in Congress. The wide-reaching absences underscore the prime minister’s shrinking support among lawmakers on the left.
Highlighting the sensitivity of Netanyahu’s address, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., sent a letter to lawmakers warning there would be a “zero-tolerance policy” for any disturbances during the speech. If any of their guests interrupt the proceedings, the letter said, they would be removed from the House chamber and “subject to arrest.”
A number of guests wore bright yellow shirts under jackets that read “Seal the deal NOW” in reference to a ceasefire deal in Gaza that would see Israeli hostages released.
Periodically throughout the speech, they stood up to reveal their shirts until they were removed from the chamber and arrested.
As Netanyahu spoke, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the only Palestinian American in Congress and one of Israel’s most vocal critics, held up a sign that read “WAR CRIMINAL” on one side and “GUILTY OF GENOCIDE” on the other.