Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered his fourth speech to a joint session of the United States Congress as he tried to drum up continued support for his country’s war in Gaza.
But anti-war protests greeted Netanyahu when he arrived at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday — and continued inside the halls of Congress.
Representative Rashida Tlaib, for example, erected a sign that read “guilty of genocide” on one side and “war criminal” on the other, echoing criticism of the devastating cost of war.
Netanyahu, however, was not caught by surprise. He used his podium before the US Congress to criticize enemies considered anti-Semitic and misguided, naming campus protesters and International Criminal Court prosecutors, among others.
Here are five key takeaways from Wednesday’s speech.
Netanyahu praises US allies
With his latest speech, Netanyahu surpassed the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill – an icon of the Second World War – as the world leader with the most speeches to the US Congress.
Netanyahu entered the chamber to a standing ovation, although some lawmakers could be heard booing under the applause. He paused to shake hands with some lawmakers, giving only a brief nod to others.
Once at the podium, he effusively praised the American people and politicians on both sides of the aisle.
“Through thick and thin, in good times and in bad, Israel will always be your loyal friend and your constant partner. On behalf of the people of Israel, I came here today to say thank you, America,” said Netanyahu.
He also acknowledged the historical circumstances of his speech, saying it was a “profound honor” to address “this great citadel of democracy for the fourth time.”
The prime minister, however, faced an increasingly fractured Congress, with Democrats divided over support for the ongoing war in Gaza.
Some, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, refused to attend Wednesday’s speech. Others left early.
Entering politics in an election year
Netanyahu dedicated special mention to two figures on opposite sides of the political spectrum: US President Joe Biden and his former Republican rival Donald Trump.
Until this week, Biden and Trump were locked in a tight race for the presidency as Election Day approaches on November 5. But on Sunday, Biden dropped out of the race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.
First, Netanyahu acknowledged Biden’s support following the October 7 attacks on Israel.
“After the savage October 7 attack, he rightly called Hamas ‘pure evil,’” Netanyahu said, emphasizing their more than 40-year relationship.
He later expressed relief that Trump had survived a recent assassination attempt and thanked him personally for the pro-Israel policies he enacted while in office.
“I also want to recognize President Trump for all the things he has done for Israel, from recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, to confronting Iran’s aggression, to recognizing Jerusalem as our capital and moving the embassy America there,” he said.
These measures continue to be controversial both in the US and abroad, and the United Nations has condemned Israeli actions in the occupied Golan Heights.
Netanyahu targets protesters
Outside the Capitol building, thousands of protesters gathered as Netanyahu spoke, denouncing what they called the ongoing “genocide” in Gaza.
The US Capitol Police issued a statement that after some protesters became “violent,” its officers were forced to use pepper spray. Protesters were seen pouring water into their eyes to mitigate burns.
Instead of ignoring the protests taking place just steps away from his speech, Netanyahu took aim at them directly, calling the demonstrations misguided. He also criticized anti-war protests on US campuses.
“Many choose to side with evil. They are with Hamas. They support rapists and murderers,” Netanyahu said. “These protesters are with them. They should be ashamed of themselves.”
He also accused anti-war protesters of echoing talking points from Iran, a country with which Israel has been at proxy war for decades.
“When the tyrants of Tehran, who hang gays from cranes and murder women for not covering their hair, are praising, promoting and financing you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots,” Netanyahu told protesters.
A coup at the International Criminal Court
The protests, however, were not the only resistance Netanyahu faced.
In May, International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan called for arrest warrants to be issued for Netanyahu and his allies, accusing them of “war crimes and crimes against humanity” for their actions in Gaza.
Netanyahu used his platform in the US Congress to “vigorously oppose” what he called “false accusations”.
The prime minister defended the war as necessary for Israel’s security. He also warned that the court could target the US if Khan’s arrests were allowed to proceed.
“If Israel’s hands are tied, America will be next. I will tell you what else: the ability of all democracies to combat terrorism will be in danger,” said Netanyahu.
“The hands of the Jewish State will never be handcuffed,” he added. “Israel will always defend itself.”
The US does not currently recognize the authority of the ICC. A panel of judges is expected to weigh in on the request for arrest warrants in the coming months.
Netanyahu sets out post-war vision
As the war in Gaza enters its ninth month, with more than 39,000 Palestinians killed, pressure is mounting for Netanyahu to end the conflict.
Ceasefire negotiations have been ongoing for months. Families of Israelis captive in Gaza told US media outlet NPR that they hoped Netanyahu would use his speech to announce that “an agreement has been reached”.
But Netanyahu disappointed those expectations. Instead, he repeated far-right rhetoric that was considered dehumanizing and anti-Palestinian.
“This is not a clash of civilizations. It is a clash between barbarism and civilization,” Netanyahu told Congress.
“It is a confrontation between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life. For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must remain united. Because when we are together, something very simple happens: we win, they lose.”
Netanyahu also called for the defeat of Hamas as a precondition for peace, saying he would settle for “total victory” and nothing less.
In explaining what life would be like after the war, he outlined a vision that involved Israeli forces maintaining control over Gaza – a prospect that critics fear could lead to further displacement and oppression of Palestinians.
“The day after we defeat Hamas, a new Gaza could emerge,” Netanyahu said. “My vision for that day is a demilitarized and deradicalized Gaza. Israel does not seek to resettle Gaza. But for the foreseeable future, we must maintain dominant security control to prevent a resurgence of terror, to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”
“A new generation of Palestinians must no longer be taught to hate Jews, but rather to live in peace with us,” he added.
To achieve this goal, Netanyahu made his sales pitch to the US lawmakers sitting in front of him. He called for military aid to be increased and delivered more quickly, despite concerns—especially among progressives—that it could be used for human rights violations in Gaza.
The US already sends Israel $3.8 billion a year in military aid, and in April, President Biden signed an aid package that would provide up to $17 billion in additional support.
“Expedited US military aid could dramatically accelerate the end of the war in Gaza and help prevent a broader war in the Middle East,” Netanyahu told the US Congress.
“Give us the tools faster and we’ll get the job done faster.”
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
