Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress on Wednesday, launching a scathing attack on protesters who are advocating for a cease-fire in Gaza.
His visit has been met with boycotts by some lawmakers and protests, highlighting how Netanyahu’s hard-line government’s prosecution of the war in Gaza is opening fissures in longstanding American support of Israel.
Netanyahu attacked those protesters with vigor, accusing them of ignorance and mocking those with signs that said “Gays for Gaza,” by saying they may as well be holding signs saying “Chickens for KFC.”
Netanyahu entered the chamber to cheers from the legislators and characterized the current moment as a crossroads in history.
“This is not a clash between civilizations,” Netanyahu said. “It is a clash between barbarism and civilization.”
The prime minister thanked Biden for his support and introduced hostages, hostage families and Israeli Defense Force members in attendance. He reassured those who lost family members in Israel that their sacrifices would not be in vain.
Netanyahu then launched into a blistering attack on protesters who are advocating for a cease-fire, accusing them of being “Iran’s useful idiots” and siding with Hamas. He accused protesters of being ignorant of both geography and history.
He also equated antisemitic tropes with anti-Zionism and called criticisms of the humanitarian situation in Gaza lies. Netanyahu pushed back on accusations that Israel is perpetrating a genocide in Gaza and claimed that Israeli forces were not killing civilians, though the number of deaths in Gaza has passed 39,000, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
“Israel will always defend itself,” Netanyahu said, before blaming Iran for the chaos and conflict in the region.
READ ALSO: Netanyahu says Israel will remain key U.S. ally whoever replaces Biden
He then characterized violence in the Middle East as a proxy conflict between Iran and the U.S., saying that Israel’s actions were protecting America.
“Our enemies are your enemies, our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory,” he said.
While he said Israel would prefer to reach diplomatic solutions, Netanyahu said Israel would do whatever it takes to secure the country’s borders and return hostages home. He also referenced a recent missile attack from Hezbollah, saying the country would retaliate against those who attack it.
That rhetoric could be concerning for those who fear the ongoing military situation and increased attacks from Hezbollah and Houthi rebels could spark a wider regional conflict, potentially drawing the U.S. into a more active role.
Netanyahu asked for more support, saying that America giving the IDF more tools would bring a quicker end to the conflict. He also noted the conflict could end immediately if Hamas released hostages but vowed to continue fighting if Hamas did not concede.
The prime minister said Israel would settle for nothing less than “total victory,” though it has not been clearly defined what that looks like. Netanyahu said that Israel does not seek to re-occupy Gaza but at the same time said Israel must have security control over the region, which would likely mean a continued IDF presence in the region.
Many Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and political independent Bernie Sanders plan to boycott Netanyahu’s appearance, but the most notable absence will be behind him.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who serves as president of the Senate and would traditionally sit behind foreign leaders, says a long-scheduled trip will keep her away Wednesday.
John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told NewsNation on Tuesday that he thinks it’s “unprecedented” for a vice president not to find time for such a commitment.
Credible News.ng
