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Washington, D.C. – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues his controversial remarks amid his occupation forces’ ongoing massacres targeting civilians in Gaza.
This afternoon at the US Capitol in Washington D.C., Netanyahu led a joint-session meeting at the US Congress, upon invitation of top United States congressmen on both sides of the isle, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as well as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
While Israel is facing international condemnation as their occupation forces continue their deadly bombardment of civilians in Gaza, the prime minister used his time with key American policymakers to continue to sway their strongest ally towards their policy.
At the beginning of his controversial remarks, Netanyahu framed Israel’s deadly war as an important force to keep “peace” in the Middle East, saying that this is not a “clash of civilizations,” but rather, a clash of “barbarism and civilizations.”
Invoking American appeal
Throughout the speech, he invoked emotional rhetoric to persuade American politicians, touching on past terrorist attacks in America, the country’s patriotism, geopolitical rivals, and identity groups.
Notably, he compared the October 7 attack to America’s September 11, 2001 attack, adding that October 7 in Israel is the equivalent of “twenty 9/11’s.”
Netanyahu also brought up multiple times the threat that Iran poses to the US framing his country as the “main force” against Iran. He further said that Iran has to “get through” Israel to get to America.
The prime minister also mentioned Iran in his crash and harsh comments towards Pro-Palestinian protestors in America. “I have a message for these protesters. When the tyrants of Tehran, who hang gays from cranes and murder women for not covering their hair, are praising, promoting and funding you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots,” he claimed.
Further condemning these protestors, Netanyahu made a blistering attack against certain American identity groups who stand in open solidarity with Palestine, specifically calling out the LGBTQ community who have held up signs at protests saying “gays for Gaza.”
“They might as well hold up signs saying ‘Chickens for KFC,” he said.
He also framed protestors as naive, saying that “many do not have a clue” what they are talking about when chanting “From the River to the Sea,” a solidarity chant referring to the freedom of Palestine’s occupied land.
Netanyahu also spoke of close ally ship between the US and Israel, saying that “When we stand together, we win, they lose,” adding that “we will win.” He further thanked Biden for his constant support and half a century of friendship with Israel, noting that Biden calls himself a proud “Irish-American Zionist.”
Netanyahu also spent much of his speech talking about past events, about October 7 and the Israeli hostage situation, but added little details as to what his country’s plan is for the future of returning the hostages and ending the devastating massacres in Gaza.
The prime minister made multiple sweeping remarks about alleged details of the current massacres. On the topic of Palestinian aid, Netanyahu claimed that the aid was not coming into Gaza because Hamas is blocking it. This claim is in stark contrasts to reports from many international NGO’s, including Refugee International, who in a March report said that “Israeli policies and conduct are causing a man-made humanitarian crisis.”
Netanyahu further claimed that the Israel Occupation Forces (IOF) are not deliberately targeting cilvians, which is contrary to top NGO human rights reports including those from Amnesty International, as well as international media.
A nation divided
Despite the strong show of claps and support within the walls of the US Capitol during the joint-session, the prime minister does not hold unanimous support by key American policy makers.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were among the boycotters of the prime minister’s speech. Isolationist Representative Thomas Massie also boycotted the speech, making it clear to the press that he didn’t want to be a “prop” for Netanyahu.
Additionally, about half of both Democratic caucuses (Senate and House) were absent. This boycott was significantly larger than the 58 Democrats who skipped the Israeli prime minister’s speech to Congress in 2015, which showcases a shift, although gradual, of pro-Israeli sentiment within the American political bodies.
In a more vocal and visual form of dissent, thousands of Americans are gathered in Washington today in stark protest of Netanyahu’s presence in Congress, led by prominent protest groups including the Jewish Voice for Peace. On Tuesday, a large group of protestors from this group organized a sit-in inside the Cannon Building of the US Capitol, which houses offices of House of Representatives members. Protestors were wearing shirts that said “Not in our Name,” with signs that said “Let Gaza Live!,” AP reports.
Additionally, protests began on Monday outside of the historic Watergate hotel where the prime minister is staying, with chants calling for an arrest of the “war criminal” Netanyahu.
The divide between the will of the American people and the actions of the government was strikingly evident in today’s events. As key US politicians clapped and shook the prime minister’s hand, the streets were filled with angry citizens condemning Israel’s war against Gaza, which has now killed roughly 39,000, with many more reported missing and presumed dead under the rubble.
