Benjamin Netanyahu received standing ovations from Republicans as he called for more support from the US, condemned anti-war protestors, and vowed the Gaza war would not end until Israel's goals were achieved
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Benjamin Netanyahu praises support of 'proud Zionist' Joe Biden
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed US Congress today in a controversial landmark speech, as Israel's onslaught in Gaza continues.
As he scorned the American protestors outside the Capitol, called for unity in the battle against Iran, and told US lawmakers that a victory for Israel would be a victory for the US, he also uttered two chilling words which spell out his intentions for the war in Gaza. After nine months and with nearly 40,000 Palestinians confirmed dead, Netanyahu vowed to press on until Israel achieves "total victory".
The speech prompted boycotts by many top Democratic lawmakers and caused mass protests outside the Capitol condemning the war in Gaza and the catastrophic humanitarian crisis which has arisen as a result. But the mood inside was jubilant, and Netanyahu was treated almost like a hero by a crowd who were giving regular standing ovations throughout the speech.
Netanyahu sought to strengthen US commitment to providing military support for Israel's war. "America and Israel must stand together. When we stand together something really simple happens: we win, they lose," the Prime Minister, who is awaiting to see whether he will be issued with an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court, said.
But his speech went beyond purely diplomatic appeals, as he went on to condemn those protesting outside the Capitol in favour of a ceasefire. Gesturing towards the demonstrations taking place on the streets, he described those calling for an end to the violence in Gaza as "Iran's useful idiots". While many applauded and shouted out their supports for the comments, a number of leading Democrats refused to stand and cheer - with one tearful Democrat, Rep Rashida Tlaib, who has family in the West Bank, holding a sign in the House chamber reading "war criminal" on one side and "guilty of genocide" on the other as she wore a symbolical keffiyeh.
Also in the House chamber were former hostages of Hamas alongside their families, invited to Congress after they were abducted last October 7 on the same day Hamas killed around 1,200 Israelis. This included Noa Argamani, a hostage freed during an Israeli operation.
However, Netanyahu has repeatedly refused deals which would - according to international mediators - return hostages to Israel while ending the hostilities. He has been sticking to the hardline stance, which he once again wheeled out today: that there will be no permanent end to the war until there is "total victory" for Israel.
Some protestors successfully made their way into the gallery, displaying T-shirts with slogans that demanded a deal for a ceasefire and the release of all hostages. But Netanyahu used the speech to accuse the ceasefire protestors of standing with Hamas. "These protesters that stand with them, they should be ashamed of themselves," he said.
It is now the first time a foreign leader has addressed a joint meeting of Congress four times - surpassing the previous record of three held by Winston Churchill and himself. But it wasn't a full house, with over 50 Democrats boycotting along with independent Bernie Sanders, and perhaps significantly, Vice President Kamala Harris, president of the Senate who said she could not make it due to a long-scheduled trip.
Harris is still set to meet with Netanyahu on Thursday, alongside President Joe Biden, before the Israeli PM goes on to meet Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday. Although Netanyahu received a largely warm welcome from a sympathetic Congress, some Democrats felt the invite for Netanyahu was part of a Republican effort to present the GOP as the party most loyal to Israel and its interests.
Many Democrats present in the House attended despite their recent criticism of Netanyahu, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who said Netanyahu has "lost his way" and become an obstacle to peace. Some lawmakers who met with relatives of Hamas hostages also expressed anger towards Netanyahu. One of the relatives, who had several family members taken hostage, told lawmakers: "Because by coming here, he risks making himself the issue, turning the humanitarian issue of the hostages into a political one."
But for Netanyahu it will no doubt feel like a successful visit, as he feels the support of large parts of the House and gets across his strong message to the rest of the World. At no point does Israel intend on stopping the catastrophic war before it has achieved "total victory"