Netanyahu defends Israel's actions in Gaza Strip before US Congress
The Israeli prime minister referred to the ongoing negotiations in Doha regarding a ceasefire and release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, thanking Biden for his "unwavering efforts on behalf of the hostages". Netanyahu expressed optimism that these efforts could lead to success.
Netanyahu faces heavy criticism in Israel over the hostages' fate. Large demonstrations have been taking place for months, accusing him of not doing enough to secure their release. Hundreds protested in Israel on Wednesday evening for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Protests against Netanyahu also took place at the Capitol in Washington. Thousands demanded a ceasefire there as well, with some demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags.
Netanyahu accused Iran of financing and supporting the anti-Israel protests in the US. He referred to the pro-Palestinian protest participants before the Capitol as "useful idiots of Iran".
In his Congress speech, Netanyahu also denounced an "Axis of Terror" in the Middle East, which he claimed threatened the US, Israel, and "our Arab friends". Hamas and other Israel-hostile armed groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen are supported by Tehran.
Given the ongoing attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis on his country, the Israeli prime minister called for faster US military aid. Such aid, he said, could significantly accelerate the end of the conflict in the Gaza Strip and help prevent a larger war in the Middle East.
Upon his arrival at the House of Representatives, the Israeli prime minister was greeted with applause and cheers from opposition Republican lawmakers, while Democratic parliamentarians distanced themselves from President Biden.
The former Speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, spoke after Netanyahu's speech, calling him the "worst possible representation of a foreign leader" before the US Congress.
The relationship between Biden and Netanyahu is strained. While the Biden administration has supported Israel with military supplies during the ongoing war against the radical Palestinian organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip since early October, Biden has criticized Israeli military conduct in recent months.
Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Monday. The meeting with Biden was scheduled for Thursday at 1:00 PM (7:00 PM MESZ) in the Oval Office of the White House.
According to a senior US government official, the negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage release are in the "final stages". Biden and Netanyahu are expected to try to close some "last gaps" during their meeting.
Hamas criticized Netanyahu's appearance before Congress as "misleading". The Israeli prime minister is the one who "has obstructed all efforts to end the war", Hamas claimed.
The Israeli military announced on Thursday that the bodies of five hostages, including four soldiers and Kibbutz resident Maja Gorens, who were abducted in the Gaza Strip, had been recovered the previous day. They were all killed during Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7.
The war in Gaza was triggered by the attack of Radical Islamists on Israel on October 7th. According to Israeli reports, 1197 people were killed and 251 were abducted to the Gaza Strip. 114 hostages are still being held there.
In response to the attack, Israel has been militarily active in Gaza since then. According to the health ministry controlled by Hamas, which cannot be independently verified, over 39,100 people have been killed as a result.
The ongoing negotiations in Doha for a ceasefire and hostage release in the Gaza Strip were discussed by Netanyahu during his speech to the US Congress. Netanyahu expressed optimism that these negotiations, supported by Biden, could lead to success.
Netanyahu's criticisms of Iran extended to the pro-Palestinian protests in the US, which he labeled as "useful idiots of Iran."
During his meeting with Democratic parliamentarians, President Biden was distanced from by some Democratic parliamentarians, while he was met with applause and cheers from opposition Republican lawmakers.
The expected meeting between Biden and Netanyahu in the Oval Office was described as an attempt to close "last gaps" in the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release.
The bodies of five hostages, including four soldiers and a Kibbutz resident, were recovered by the Israeli military a day before Netanyahu's meeting with Biden.
Hamas accused Netanyahu's appearance before Congress of being misleading, claiming that the Israeli prime minister has obstructed all efforts to end the war.
The US-President has supported Israel with military supplies during the ongoing war against Hamas since early October, but has criticized Israeli military conduct in recent months.
