To Thundrous Ovations before Joint Session of Congress, Netanyahu Blasts Iran, Defends Israel’s Actions, Faces Down Hostile Protests
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress for an unprecedented fourth time, delivering a robust speech that positioned Iran as the main instigator of violence in the Middle East and laid out his vision for a postwar Gaza. The address was punctuated by frequent applause and standing ovations, particularly from Republican members. About half of Democrat senators and representatives were reported absent, including Vice President Kamala Harris.
Netanyahu condemned Iran as “virtually behind all the terrorism, all the turmoil, all the chaos, all the killing.” He emphasized the alliance between the U.S. and Israel, calling America “the guardian of Western civilization” against Iran’s radical Islamic agenda. “In the Middle East, Iran’s axis of terror confronts America, Israel, and our Arab friends,” he said. “This is not a clash of civilizations. It’s a clash between barbarism and civilization. It’s a clash between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life.”
Addressing the trauma of the October 7 Hamas attack, Netanyahu compared it to September 11 and the Pearl Harbor bombing, labeling it “a day that will live forever in infamy.” He described the brutality of the attackers: “These monsters, they raped women, they beheaded men, they burnt babies alive, they killed parents in front of their children and children in front of their parents. They dragged 255 people, both living in dead, into the dark dungeons of Gaza.”
Netanyahu pointed to rescued hostage Noa Argamani in the audience and pledged to bring all captives home, while thanking President Joe Biden for his efforts. However, some relatives of the hostages, wearing yellow t-shirts reading “Seal the Deal Now,” protested during the speech, with three being removed by law enforcement.
Defending Israel’s Conduct
Netanyahu defended Israel’s military actions in Gaza, citing West Point urban warfare expert John Spencer, who stated that Israel had implemented unprecedented measures to protect civilians. “The war in Gaza has one of the lowest ratios of combatant to non-combatants in the history of urban warfare,” Netanyahu asserted. He highlighted the successful operations in Rafah, where Israel killed over 1,200 terrorists with minimal civilian casualties due to pre-emptive evacuations.
He criticized the International Criminal Court for seeking arrest warrants against him and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, arguing that if Israel were found guilty, other democracies would be next. “Israel will always defend itself,” he declared to a standing ovation. He rejected accusations that Israel was starving Gazans, attributing any shortages to Hamas’s theft of aid supplies.
“For Israel, every civilian death is a tragedy. For Hamas, it’s a strategy,” he stated, reiterating that Hamas aims to repeat October 7’s atrocities.
Facing Protesters
Outside the Capitol, thousands of protesters denounced Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and called for a ceasefire. They replaced and burned an American flag and raised a PLO flag. They defaced US monuments with genocidal graffiti.
Netanyahu accused Iran of funding these anti-Israel protests and labeled the demonstrators as “useful idiots” for standing with Hamas. He referenced fraternity members at the University of North Carolina who defended a U.S. flag from protesters, chanting “USA.”
Netanyahu criticized the rise of antisemitism on American campuses and condemned university leaders for not speaking out against calls for genocide. Palestinian-American lawmaker Rashida Tlaib held up a protest sign reading “Guilty of Genocide” during the speech but was asked to stop by ushers.
Vision for Postwar Gaza
Netanyahu outlined his vision for Gaza after Hamas’s defeat, emphasizing the need for a demilitarized and deradicalized region. He stressed that Israel did not seek to resettle Gaza but would maintain security control to prevent future threats. He called for a civilian administration run by Palestinians who do not seek Israel’s destruction and advocated for a deradicalization process similar to post-World War II Japan and Germany.
Netanyahu’s speech, aimed at both American and Israeli audiences, sought to present him as a respected statesman in Washington. However, it highlighted the divided views in the U.S. on Israel and the ongoing conflict. Approximately 70 Democrats boycotted the speech, reflecting the growing polarization over the issue.
Throughout his remarks, Netanyahu balanced praise for both Biden and former President Donald Trump. He thanked Biden for his unwavering support and criticized delays in U.S. military aid deliveries, invoking Winston Churchill’s plea to America for assistance during World War II. He also lauded Trump for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the U.S. embassy there.
Despite the mixed reactions, Netanyahu’s message was clear: Israel will continue its fight against Hamas and its efforts to counter Iran’s influence in the region, with or without international approval.
Mr Netanyahu,
Why did you praise Biden for his help and support of Israel?
Is it fear that Biden might suspend all the help and declare Israel as an enemy of this country?
There has been an established help from the United States to Israel for decades, not only because Israel is the only real ally and friend, it’s beneficial for both countries.
However, the actions from Biden, not his words for political purposes, are what counts and have always shown he has been against Israel and a supporter of terrorists!
Mr. Biden was guilty, or the creator of Oct. 7 as he removed all the sanctions imposed by the previous administration and gave the greatest supporter of terrorism and enemy of Israel and the United States, Iran, billions of dollars.
Regardless what Mr. Biden is and has always been, a puppet of the Marxists who are the ones who call the shots behind the scenes…
Biden along with democrats who support “the useful idiots” for Iran, as Netanhayu called them (the protesters who support Hamas and Palestinian terrorists) and I repeat, Biden along those democrats are traitors against this country and Israel!!
I understand Netanhayu should probably be a politician and not tell the truth at this time, because there are still six long months before Trump wins back the presidency.
However, he should not praise someone guilty or responsible for the killing of thousands of innocent jews, Mr Biden.
Héctor Bayate
NOTE:
If Democrats manage to keep the presidency in spite of the destruction happening, not only will the United States be lost forever as a democracy (whatever is left) also, the whole world will be destroyed as a nuclear war will be inevitable, but, the certainty debacle of the great american economy that would happen under the Marxism would not be experienced because WW-3 will come sooner than later.
Héctor Bayate
“Regardless of its questionable origin, Hamas has proven itself to be nothing more than a brutal and bloody terrorist organization. In his blatant support of Hamas, the faux prince has unquestionably proven himself a traitor to the state, giving aid and assistance to an enemy entity at the behest of his Chinese and Arab handlers. In my not so humble opinion this faux prince must needs be removed from the precincts of power before committing even more grievous errors and damage.”
Colten Irons
Israel’s enemies are America’s enemies. All of Congress know that. The boycotters are traitors to the USA.
Hostes humani generis is the correct legal term for Muslim terrorists. Enemies of all mankind. Those who support them support the destruction of Western Civilization.