Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech to a joint session of Congress last Wednesday afternoon where he sought to solidify US support for Israel’s war against Hamas.
The prime minister’s address was boycotted by roughly half of congressional Democrats, including 28 Senators and about 100 members of the House. Vice President Kamala Harris, who typically presides over the Senate, also skipped the address to attend an event for a black sorority in Indiana.
Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, a fierce opponent of all foreign aid, also skipped Netanyahu’s speech, saying he did not want to be used as a “prop” for Israel’s prime minister.
Netanyahu warned of the threat Iran’s “axis of terror” poses to the United States, Israel, and their Middle East allies, describing it as a “clash” that pitted “those who glorify death” against “those who sanctify life.” He said the “forces of civilization” would only triumph if the United States and Israel stood together.
Netanyahu also told lawmakers that Israel was “engaged in intensive efforts” to free the remaining hostages and suggested that some of those efforts were “taking place right now.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s latest address before Congress comes during an unusual period of political upheaval in the United States, as the Democrat Party finds itself facing division over US support for Israel.
As Netanyahu was addressing Congress, pro-Hamas protesters were outside the Capitol in large numbers, carrying Hamas flags, vandalizing statues, burning American flags, and fighting with police.
US Capitol Police confirmed later that evening that it had used pepper spray against the mob after protesters “started to become violent.”
Netanyahu blasted the pro-Hamas protesters in the United States, describing them as “useful idiots” for Iran.
Congressional leaders in May invited the prime minister to address a joint meeting of Congress in a show of bipartisan unity.
In his address, the prime minister thanked lawmakers for the security assistance it provided to Israel but urged Congress to fast-track additional aid to bring an end to the war in Gaza more quickly.
