Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel's war on Gaza and condemned US protesters in a scathing speech to Congress on Wednesday that was boycotted by several top Democratic lawmakers and drew thousands to the Capitol to denounce the war and humanitarian crisis.
Dashing hopes that the Israeli leader's visit to the United States might bring some breakthrough in talks for a cease-fire and hostage-release, Netanyahu vowed to continue the war until there is “total victory.”
Speaking to applause from US lawmakers and stony silence from others, Netanyahu sought to bolster US support in his country's fight against Hamas and other Iran-backed armed groups.
“America and Israel must stand together. When we stand together, something really simple happens: we win, they lose,” said Netanyahu, who wore a yellow pin in solidarity with Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
But the Israeli leader soon took a darker tone as he mocked anti-war protesters on college campuses and elsewhere in the US, pointing to demonstrations taking place in the streets outside the Capitol. He called the protesters “useful idiots” for Israel's opponents.
He drew applause from many in Congress, but also silence from leading Democrats who refused to stand and cheer.
Former hostages and families of hostages who freed Hamas listened in the chamber. Lawmakers from both parties applauded during a lighter moment in the Israeli leader's speech. Security escorted protesters into the gallery who rose to display T-shirts with slogans demanding the leaders end the conflict and free the hostages.
Netanyahu accused many anti-war protesters in the United States of siding with militants who killed children in an October 7 attack by Hamas. “These protesters who are with them should be ashamed of themselves,” he said.
Netanyahu — who has repeatedly been accused of championing conservative and Republican causes in American politics — began his remarks by praising President Joe Biden. But he praised former president and current presidential rival Donald Trump “for everything he's done for Israel.”
As criticism against him grew, even in Israel, Netanyahu aimed to portray himself as a politician respected by Israel's most important ally. The task is complicated by Americans' increasingly divided views on Israel and the war, which has emerged as a key issue in the US presidential election.
Tall steel barriers surrounded the Capitol on Wednesday, and police deployed pepper spray as thousands of protesters rallied near the Capitol, denouncing Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and calling for a cease-fire.
Netanyahu was warmly welcomed by House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican lawmakers who arranged for his speech in the House chamber. Netanyahu received a bipartisan standing ovation before speaking.
Netanyahu became the first foreign leader to address a joint session of Congress four times, surpassing Winston Churchill in attendance.
More than 50 Democrats and political independent Bernie Sanders boycotted Netanyahu's speech. The most notable absence was behind her: Vice President Kamala Harris, who serves as president of the Senate, said a long scheduled trip prevented her from attending.
The next Democrat in line, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, declined to attend, so Sen. Ben Cardin, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, served as “senator pro tempore” in her place.
Michigan Democrat Rep., who has family in the West Bank. Rashida Taleb, she often sat in the chamber of the House with a keffiyeh draped over her shoulders. Taleb was censured last year for strongly criticizing Israel's conduct in the war.
Republicans said the absence of Harris, the new Democratic front-runner for president, was a sign of disloyalty to an ally. Former President Donald Trump's running mate, JD Vance, was also a no-show for Netanyahu's speech, citing campaign needs.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden and Harris on Thursday and with Trump on Friday at Mar-a-Lago.
Many in the growing crowd of protesters protested the killing of more than 39,000 Palestinians in the war. Others condemned Netanyahu's inability to free Israeli and American hostages held by Hamas and other militants in the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war.
Support for Israel has long carried political weight in American politics. But the usual warm reception for Netanyahu's visit has been tempered this time by political turmoil, including an assassination attempt against Trump and Biden's decision not to seek another term.
Many Democrats, who support Israel but criticize Netanyahu, saw the address as a Republican attempt to present itself as the party most loyal.
Several Democrats attended the address despite criticism of Netanyahu, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called for new elections in Israel in a March floor speech. New York's Schumer then said that Netanyahu had “lost his way” and was an obstacle to peace in the region amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
About 60 lawmakers met with relatives of Hamas hostages on Wednesday and expressed their anger at Netanyahu. “By coming here, he risks incriminating himself, by turning the hostages' humanitarian issue into a political issue,” Maya Roman, who held several family members hostage, told lawmakers.
The United States is Israel's most important ally, arms supplier and source of military aid. It is Netanyahu's first foreign visit since the war began, and the International Criminal Court has sought an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes by Israel against the Palestinians. The United States does not recognize the ICC.
The Biden administration wants to see Netanyahu focus his visit on helping broker a deal for a cease-fire and hostage-release. A growing number of Israelis accuse Netanyahu of prolonging the war to avoid a possible fall from power whenever the conflict ends.
Netanyahu said his U.S. visit was aimed at pressing for the release of hostages held by Hamas and other rebels in Gaza, building support for Israel's continued war against the group, and arguing to continue confronting Hezbollah and other Iranian allies in Lebanon. groups in the field.
Some Democrats are wary of Netanyahu because he used a 2015 joint address to Congress to condemn then-President Barack Obama's prolonged nuclear deal with Iran.
Netanyahu used the appearance Wednesday morning to focus on Iran, its nuclear program and network of armed allies. Iran is “behind the whole axis of terror” that threatens the US and Israel, he said, speaking in memory of former Sen. Joe Lieberman.
