Washington D.C. – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a passionate speech to US Congress on Tuesday, likening the October 7 Hamas attack to historical tragedies like Pearl Harbor and 9/11. The address was met with protests and controversy, highlighting divisions among lawmakers and tensions in the US-Israel relationship.
Netanyahu emphasized the strong US-Israel relationship and called for unity in the fight for civilization. He thanked US leaders from both parties, including President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, despite recent criticisms of his war strategy.
However, the speech was not without controversy. Rep. Rashida Tlaib protested Netanyahu’s address, holding a sign accusing him of war crimes. Capitol Police arrested several protesters inside and outside the chamber, and progressive lawmakers, including Vice President Kamala Harris, boycotted the speech.
Netanyahu also condemned the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against him and other Israeli leaders, accusing the court of trying to hinder Israel’s defense efforts. He disputed claims of deliberately targeting Palestinian civilians and blocking humanitarian aid.
American hostage families attended the speech, seeking pressure on Netanyahu for a ceasefire. The families expressed frustration over Netanyahu’s trip, hoping the US would pressure him to agree to a ceasefire.
The invitation for Netanyahu’s speech, issued by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Schumer, underscored the GOP’s support for Israel and highlighted divisions among Democrats over Netanyahu’s policies.
This was Netanyahu’s fourth address to Congress, making him the most frequent foreign leader to do so. The speech drew comparisons to his 2015 address, which was also politically charged. Enhanced security measures were implemented around the Capitol, resulting in several arrests during protests.