As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday, over 5,000 protesters gathered near Capitol Hill, waving Palestinian flags and demanding that the United States stop arming Israel.
During his speech, Netanyahu called on American leaders to provide bipartisan support to Israel amidst its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Some demonstrators tried to block Netanyahu’s potential routes to the Capitol, with one group distributing an effigy of the prime minister in handcuffs and another group burning the American flag.
Netanyahu accused Iran of funding and promoting anti-Israel protests in the U.S., referring to the protesters as “Iran useful idiots.” He emphasized, “Our enemies are your enemies. Our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory,” highlighting Israel’s strategic role in countering Iran.
Netanyahu did not explicitly mention a ceasefire or the status of the deal that Israel and Hamas have been negotiating for weeks, a priority for the Biden administration. However, he stated that the war could end if Hamas surrendered its arms and released hostages.
The Israeli prime minister described the Hamas terror attack in October as “a day that will forever live in infamy,” comparing it to the attacks on Pearl Harbor and 9/11. Netanyahu praised President Joe Biden for his efforts to free hostages held by Hamas, saying, “I think Biden and I have known each other for 40 years. I want to thank him for half a century of friendship with Israel.”
Netanyahu and Biden are scheduled to meet at the White House on Thursday. Netanyahu also commended former President Donald Trump for his support of Israel and expressed relief that Trump was safe following the shooting in Pennsylvania.
In protest of Netanyahu’s approach to the Israel-Hamas war, more than 30 members of Congress did not attend his address. Elon Musk was present as one of Netanyahu’s special guests.
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