Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu ripped into Gaza ceasefire demonstrations across the country and accused Iran of funding those protests during a passionate address to a joint session of Congress Wednesday.
“I have a message for these protesters. When the tyrants of Tehran, who hang gays from cranes and murder women for not covering their hair, are praising, promoting, and funding you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots,” said Netanyahu.
“Some of these protesters hold up signs proclaiming gays for Gaza. They might as well hold up signs saying, ‘Chickens for KFC.’ These protesters chant, ‘From the river to the sea.’ But many don’t have a clue what river and what sea they’re talking about.”
He addressed an almost full chamber of the House, which included members of Congress along with special guests like free Israeli hostages who were taken captive by Hamas on October 7 and billionaire Elon Musk, among others.
Among those present in the chamber was Democrat Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, the harshest critic in the House of Israel who has called for Netanyahu to be arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC). She staged a quiet protest for the majority of his speech, holding a sign reading, “Ceasefire now.”
A House sergeant-at-arms staff member was observed speaking to Tlaib several times, after which she put the sign down.
GOP Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida was spotted speaking intensely with Tlaib at one point before returning to her own seat.
At numerous times during the speech, Netanyahu tried to tie Israel’s war on Iranian proxies in the Middle East and Hamas to unrest in the U.S. and stressed his country is the U.S.’s closest ally in an increasingly unstable Middle East.
“We’re not only protecting ourselves, we’re protecting you,” said Netanyahu, eliciting a standing ovation. “Our enemies are your enemies. Our fight is your fight. And our victory will be your victory. Ladies and gentlemen, that victory is in sight. Israel’s defeat of Hamas will be a powerful blow to Iran’s axis of terror.”
Netanyahu’s speech is the fourth time he’s addressed Congress
Netanyahu’s speech is the fourth time he has addressed Congress and his first since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. It also comes as both Democratic legislators and the Biden administration are growing increasingly skeptical of the prime minister’s handling of Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
However, during his remarks, Netanyahu argued that continuing to support Israel is the only way to avoid direct involvement by the United States.
The Israeli Prime Minister also compared the current conflict to World War II and himself to former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
“We help keep Americans’ boots off the ground while protecting our shared interests in the Middle East. I deeply appreciate America’s support, including in this current war. But this is an exceptional moment. Fast-tracking U.S. military aid can dramatically expedite an end to the war in Gaza and help prevent a broader war in the Middle East,” said Netanyahu.
“In World War II, as Britain fought on the front lines of civilization, Winston Churchill appealed to Americans with these famous words — ‘Give us the tools, and we’ll finish the job.’ Today, as Israel fights on the front line of civilization, I, too, appeal to America. Give us the tools faster, and we’ll finish the job faster.”
Netanyahu’s comments received wide applause from the GOP, while the reaction from Dems was more mixed.
Israel’s war in Gaza has exposed fractures between the Democratic Party’s growing progressive Left and the more traditional side that’s critical of Israel’s conservative government.
