Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of the US Congress on Wednesday where he proposed the creation of a regional alliance to counter Iran’s influence, thanking US President Joe Biden for his efforts and supporting the expansion of Covenants of Abraham.
“I have a name for this new alliance. I think we should call it the Abraham Alliance,” he said, also thanking former President Donald Trump for promoting normalization between Israel and other countries in the region.
It was a record fourth address by a foreign leader to a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, surpassing British wartime leader Winston Churchill, who made three.
Netanyahu said Israel, the United States and the Arab world are threatened by Iran’s “axis of terror.” “Our world is in turmoil. In the Middle East, Iran’s axis of terror is facing America, Israel and our Arab friends. This is not a clash of civilizations. It is a clash between barbarism and civilization,” he said.
“For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together,” he said, after arriving to applause and cheers from Republicans and a much more muted reception from Democrats.
Netanyahu argued that the majority of Americans continue to support Israel and reject what he referred to as “Hamas’ lies.” He expressed confidence in efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas in a speech to US lawmakers attended by Noah Argamani, who was being held by the militants.
“I am confident that these efforts can succeed, some of them are taking place right now,” Netanyahu said. “I want to thank President Biden for his tireless efforts on behalf of the hostages.”
Netanyahu, citing a US military analyst, argued that Israel had exceeded international legal requirements to avoid civilian casualties. He also praised President Biden’s “heartfelt support” for Israel, emphasizing Biden’s condemnation of Hamas and military support to prevent a wider conflict.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, Netanyahu’s statements come as his policies face significant criticism. He commented on the escalation of attacks by Yemen-based Houthi rebels and thanked politicians from both the Democratic and Republican parties for their consistent support.
“As we defend on all fronts, I know America has our back. And thank you for that, from all sides of the aisle,” he said.
Netanyahu has turned his focus to Hezbollah, linking the group to Iran and warning that Israel may resort to military action if diplomacy fails to resolve border tensions with Lebanon.
He described tens of thousands of Israelis who evacuated their homes near the border with Lebanon amid firefights with Hezbollah as “refugees in their own land,” arguing that Israel would do “whatever it takes” to restore security.
These statements come amid continued criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Human rights groups accuse Israel of violating international law, targeting civilians and creating serious humanitarian crises.
Numerous rights groups and observers have accused Israel of violating international law by targeting civilians, cutting off essential supplies, displacing over 90% of Gaza’s population and destroying entire neighborhoods.
Despite claims of widespread US support, a recent Gallup poll found that 48% of Americans disapprove of Israel’s actions in Gaza, while only 42% support them. A Data for Progress poll in May found that around 70% of voters favor a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, a measure that Netanyahu has strongly rejected.
The media reports that large parts of Gaza have been designated as “free fire zones” by Israeli forces. In addition, an American doctor who volunteered in Gaza claimed that Israeli snipers have systematically targeted Palestinian children.
The Israeli prime minister also criticized student protesters and college administrators who resisted calls to crack down on campus protests, mockingly comparing LGBTQ activists who support Palestinian rights to chickens who support Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Protesters opposing the devastating war in Gaza are “Iran’s useful idiots”, Netanyahu said, claiming Tehran was funding the protests.
“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 praise, promote and finance you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots,” he added.
He characterized accusations of Israel being racist and genocidal as attempts to delegitimize and demonize the Jewish state and Jews worldwide, attributing these narratives to a rise in anti-Semitism.
Netanyahu praised former President Trump for his unwavering support of Israeli priorities during his presidency. Highlighting Trump’s controversial decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem – a move widely criticized as a violation of international law – Netanyahu expressed his deep gratitude.
“Like Americans, Israelis were relieved that President Trump emerged unscathed from this vile attack on him, a vile attack on American democracy. There is no place for political violence in democracies,” Netanyahu said.
Dozens of Democratic lawmakers skipped his speech to Congress, expressing dismay at the thousands of civilian deaths and the humanitarian crisis from Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
During the speech, representative Rashida Tlaib, wearing a keffiyeh and holding a “war criminal” sign, was a visible symbol of dissent.
Netanyahu, facing an ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes, described the pro-Palestinian protesters as Hamas supporters, rapists and murderers, saying they should be ashamed.
Jacob Magid of the Times of Israel reported that several relatives of hostages in Gaza walked out of Netanyahu’s speech, reflecting their displeasure. Netanyahu’s pledge not to rest until the hostages return home was applauded by the majority in attendance, excluding about a dozen hostage families.
As Netanyahu praised members of the Israeli military, Capitol police deployed pepper spray on protesters chanting “Free, free Palestine.” Thousands of protesters took to nearby streets amid the tightest security measures since the January 6, 2021, attack.
The Capitol building was surrounded by a high fence, with a heavy police presence. Shortly before Netanyahu spoke, US Capitol Police reported that some of the protests had turned violent, prompting them to use pepper spray.
Adam Abusallah, an Arab-American activist, criticized Netanyahu’s invitation to Congress, calling it a shame that members of both parties and Vice President Kamala Harris met with him. “We are here to say enough is enough. As Americans, we will not stand for it,” Abusala said at a rally near the Capitol.
Pro-Palestinian groups and university students have been protesting for months in the US against Israel’s assault on Gaza, a Hamas-run enclave where health authorities say nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly all of its 2.3 million people have displaced.
With additional information from AFP and Reuters
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