Netanyahu in the House
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on July 24.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday for the first time since the Israel-Hamas war broke out nine months ago. In his speech, delivered in the House chamber, he referred to Iran as Israel’s greatest threat, denied war crimes allegations, condemned the rise of antisemitism and anti-Israel protests on U.S. campuses, and reiterated that Israel will continue to fight for “total victory” in Gaza.
Netanyahu also emphasized the close—and, historically, bipartisan—relationship between the United States and Israel, and he made a point to thank both U.S. President Joe Biden for his “half a century of friendship to Israel” and support during the war as well as former U.S. President Donald Trump for “all the things he did for Israel” during his time in office.
“For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together,” Netanyahu said. He urged the United States to “fast-track” additional military aid to Israel, equating its war with Hamas to Washington’s fight against Nazi Germany during World War II. “Through thick and thin, in good times and in bad, Israel will always be your loyal friend and your steadfast partner,” he added.
However, Netanyahu’s bipartisan appeal was met with a cold shoulder, mostly from one side of the aisle. Roughly half of congressional Democrats boycotted the address, including Sen. Dick Durbin, the Senate’s No. 2 leader; former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; former House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn; and three of the four members of the so-called Squad.
“I don’t want to be part of a political prop in this act of deception,” said Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who also did not attend the speech. Netanyahu “is not the great guardian of the U.S.-Israel relationship.” Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the presumptive Democratic nominee on Sunday ahead of presidential elections in November, cited a scheduling conflict for her absence.
Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, did attend. Wearing a traditional Palestinian scarf, or keffiyeh, around her neck as well as a Palestinian flag pin, Tlaib sat surrounded by mostly empty seats. At times during the speech, she held up a small sign that read “war criminal” on one side and “guilty of genocide” on the other.
Netanyahu used much of the hourlong address to deny accusations that Israel is purposefully starving and targeting civilians, instead blaming Hamas for stealing food and using human shields. But rights groups continue to accuse Israel of blocking humanitarian goods from crossing into Gaza. And in May, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that it was seeking arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for “causing extermination; causing starvation as a method of war, including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies; [and] deliberately targeting civilians in conflict.”
During Wednesday’s speech, Netanyahu also accused Iran of supporting anti-Israel movements in the United States, including protests outside of the White House this week. “I have a message for these protesters,” Netanyahu said. “You have officially become Iran’s useful idiots.”
Police arrested at least three people in the congressional gallery for wearing “Seal the Deal Now” shirts—in apparent reference to ongoing cease-fire and hostage release negotiations—and authorities reportedly pepper-sprayed marchers outside of the Capitol building. A group of congressional staffing aides held a “walkout against war crimes” while Netanyahu spoke, and the Hostages Families Forum, which represents the families of Israelis in captivity in Gaza, issued a statement saying that Netanyahu’s trip “holds no significance unless it includes the words, ‘There’s a deal.’”
Netanyahu will meet with Biden and Harris separately on Thursday to discuss U.S.-Israeli security commitments, Iran’s regional influence, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the cease-fire negotiations. “We believe a deal is closable,” a senior U.S. administration official said on background in a call with reporters after Netanyahu’s speech, with discussions now focusing on implementation issues. This will be Biden’s first face-to-face meeting with Netanyahu since shortly after the war began. Netanyahu will then fly to Florida to visit Trump.