WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a hard-hitting speech to the Knesset on Wednesday defending Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip and condemning protesters in the United States. The speech prompted a boycott by many Democratic lawmakers and thousands to descend on the Capitol to denounce the war and the humanitarian crisis it has caused.
Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until “complete victory”, disappointing some who had hoped the Israeli leader's visit to the United States would lead to a breakthrough in ceasefire and hostage talks.
Amid applause from U.S. lawmakers and silence from others, Netanyahu sought to shore up U.S. support for his country's fight against Hamas and other Iran-backed militant groups.
“America and Israel must stand together. When we stand together, something very simple happens: We win, they lose,” said Netanyahu, wearing a yellow pin to show solidarity with Israelis held hostage by Hamas.
But the Israeli leader soon took a darker tone, mocking those protesting the war on college campuses and elsewhere in the United States, and pointing to demonstrations taking place in the streets outside the Capitol, which he called “useful idiots” for Israel’s enemies.
He drew applause from many on Capitol Hill, but silence from leading Democrats who refused to stand and cheer.
Former Hamas hostages and their families listened in the House chamber. Lawmakers from both parties applauded the Israeli leader during a warm moment in his speech. Security escorted protesters from the gallery, and protesters rose to display T-shirts bearing slogans calling on the leaders to end the conflict and conclude negotiations to free the hostages.
Netanyahu accused many protesters opposing the U.S. war of standing with militants who claimed the baby was killed in a Hamas attack on October 7. “Those who stand with them should be ashamed of themselves,” he said.
Netanyahu, who is often criticized for being conservative and jumping into American politics to promote Republican causes, began his speech by praising President Joe Biden. But he also praised former President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump for “everything he has done for Israel.”
As criticism of him in Israel grew, Netanyahu sought to portray himself as a politician who was respected by Israel’s most important ally, a task that was compounded by the growing divide among Americans over Israel and the war, which has become a key issue in the U.S. presidential election.
On Wednesday, high steel barriers surrounded the parliament building and police deployed pepper spray as thousands of protesters gathered near the building, denouncing Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and calling for a ceasefire.
Netanyahu received a warm welcome from House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans who arranged his speech on the House floor. Netanyahu received a bipartisan standing ovation before speaking.
With this visit, Netanyahu surpassed Winston Churchill as the first foreign leader to address a joint session of the Knesset four times.
More than 50 Democrats and independent Bernie Sanders boycotted Netanyahu’s speech. The most notable boycott followed suit: Vice President Kamala Harris, who leads the Senate, said she could not attend because of a long-scheduled trip.
The next Democratic senator, Washington Senator Patty Murray, declined to attend, and Senator Ben Cardin, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, served as “pro tempore” in her stead.
Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who has family in the West Bank, sat on the House floor with the kefiya she often wears draped over her shoulders. Tlaib was criticized last year for her outspoken criticism of Israel’s wartime actions.
Republicans said the absence of Harris, the new Democratic frontrunner in the presidential race, was a sign of disloyalty to their allies. Former President Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance also skipped Netanyahu's speech, citing the need to campaign.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden and Harris on Thursday, and with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday.
Many of the swell crowd of demonstrators were protesting the more than 39,000 Palestinians killed in the war. Others criticized Netanyahu for failing to release Israeli and American hostages taken by Hamas and other militants when the war began with the October 7 attack.
Support for Israel has long carried political weight in American politics. But the usual warm welcome to Netanyahu’s visit was undermined this time by political turmoil, including an assassination attempt on Trump and Biden’s decision not to extend his term.
Many Democrats who support Israel but have been critical of Netanyahu saw the speech as an effort by the GOP to position itself as the most loyal party.
Many Democrats attended the speech despite their criticism of Netanyahu, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who in a March floor speech called for new elections in Israel. Schumer, of New York, said at the time that Netanyahu had “lost his way” and was an obstacle to peace amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
About 60 lawmakers met with relatives of those held hostage by Hamas on Wednesday, and expressed their anger at Netanyahu. “Because if he comes here, he risks making himself the issue and turning the humanitarian issue of the hostages into a political issue,” Maya Roman, whose family members have been taken hostage, told lawmakers.
The United States is Israel's most important ally, arms supplier and source of military support. Netanyahu's visit, his first overseas since the war began, comes as the International Criminal Court seeks an arrest warrant for him on charges of war crimes committed against Palestinians. The United States does not recognize the ICC.
The Biden administration said it wanted Netanyahu to focus his visit on completing negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release. A growing number of Israelis accuse Netanyahu of prolonging the war to avoid the possibility of losing power whenever the conflict ends.
Netanyahu said the purpose of his U.S. visit was to pressure Hamas and other militants in Gaza to release hostages held there, build support for Israel's continued war against the group and insist on continuing the fight against Lebanon's Hezbollah and other Iranian-allied forces in the region.
Some Democrats have been wary of Netanyahu since he criticized then-President Barack Obama and the Iran nuclear deal in a 2015 speech to a joint session of Congress.
Netanyahu focused on Iran, its nuclear program and its network of armed allies in an early morning appearance Wednesday. Speaking at a memorial service for former Senator Joe Lieberman, he said Iran is “behind the entire axis of terror” that threatens the United States and Israel.
