Gaza War - Netanyahu shares with the US Congress against critics
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a rare appearance before both houses of the US Congress to refute any criticism of Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip. The beleaguered minister-president, under pressure at home and abroad, was feted at the Capitol in Washington by Republicans, denounced critics from all sides, and dismissed the accusations of the International Criminal Court as dangerous lies. The speech was met with loud protests around the Parliament building in the US capital.
This was Netanyahu's first visit to Washington in nearly four years and his first foreign trip since the terrorist attack by the Islamist Hamas in Israel on October 7, which led to the war in Gaza. Netanyahu's appearance before the US Parliament was also his fourth such occasion, which is quite unusual. A speech before both chambers of the American Parliament is a rare honor for foreign heads of state.
Netanyahu was greeted with much applause, particularly from the Republican ranks. Many Democrats boycotted his speech. One of them, Representative Ilhan Omar, declared it "immoral and cruel" to offer Netanyahu a platform given the many casualties. She labeled him a "war criminal" who was committing "genocide" against the Palestinians.
Despite the hopes of relatives of the 120 still-imprisoned hostages in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu did not announce an agreement for a ceasefire in exchange for their release. The announced visit of an Israeli delegation to Qatar for indirect talks with Hamas has also been postponed further. It is now expected to take place in the first coming week, an Israeli representative confirmed. The exact date is still uncertain.
Netanyahu: Israel does not target civilians in Gaza
Netanyahu refuted accusations that Israel intentionally targets civilians in the Gaza War. Instead, he accused Hamas of doing everything in its power to endanger Palestinian civilians. He also denied responsibility for the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, instead blaming Hamas: "If there are Palestinians in Gaza who don't get enough food, it's not because Israel is blocking them. It's because Hamas is stealing it."
Netanyahu also claimed that few civilian casualties had resulted from the Gaza War in comparison to wars in residential areas in other countries. Few civilian deaths had occurred in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. This contradicts the figures of the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians.
Due to the high number of civilian casualties in the Gaza War and the humanitarian crisis in the besieged coastal strip, Netanyahu and his government are facing sharp international criticism. The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Karim Khan, had requested arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Defense Minister Joav Galant, as well as three Hamas leaders, for alleged crimes against humanity in May. The Court must first decide on these requests. Netanyahu protested, calling the prosecutor's accusations lies.
Vision for the "Day After" in Gaza and the Middle East
The Israeli prime minister confirmed that the war would end with a victory over Hamas. His vision for the following day was "a demilitarized, deradicalized Gaza." Israel had no plans to resettle the Gaza Strip, but must maintain security there for the foreseeable future. He spoke of a civilian administration by "Palestinians who do not want to destroy Israel."
For the Middle East, Netanyahu spoke of a security alliance between Israel and the USA against Iran. "All countries that live in peace with Israel, and all those countries that will make peace with Israel, should be invited to join this alliance."
Loud Protests near the US Capitol
There were larger protests in the US capital against Netanyahu's speech. The Capitol Police reported that a part of the crowd had become violent near the Parliament building. Several arrests were made.
At a Palestinian demonstration, speakers called on the Biden administration to completely stop military aid for Israel. They accused Israel of "genocide" in the Gaza Strip and charged Biden, Harris, and top US congressional leaders with complicity. At another location, Jewish demonstrators gathered with Israeli flags. Their protest was also directed against Netanyahu. One participant said, Netanyahu does not represent the Israeli people.
Security measures around the Capitol were significantly increased due to the visit. The building was widely surrounded by high fences.
Netanyahu on Counter-Demonstrators: Iran's useful idiots
Inside, Netanyahu spoke disdainfully of the protests. The demonstrators were on the side of evil, "they are on the side of Hamas, they are on the side of rapists and murderers." Directly to the demonstrators, Netanyahu, looking at the connections between Hamas and Iran, said: "You have officially become useful idiots of Iran." Many demonstrators had no idea what they were talking about.
Netanyahu is in the USA for several days and also plans to meet with Biden - and his predecessor Trump, who is running for the Republicans in the presidential election in November. A meeting with Harris, who is expected to run for the Democrats, is also planned. Netanyahu thanked Biden's government for its support in the war and asked for faster weapons deliveries. "Give us the means faster - and we will finish the work faster."
- Despite the criticism from representatives like Ilhan Omar, many Republicans in the US Congress welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with applause.
- Netanyahu's visit to Washington marked his first foreign trip since the armed conflict in Gaza, instigated by the terrorist attack by Hamas.
- The war in Gaza, which led to numerous civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis, has resulted in international criticism towards Israel and its leadership, including Netanyahu and Defense Minister Joav Galant.
- The International Criminal Court in The Hague has requested arrest warrants against Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, as well as Hamas leaders, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
- Netanyahu's rhetoric during his speech to the US Congress focused on refuting accusations of civilian targeting and blaming Hamas for the situation in Gaza.
- Iran has been named as a potential partner in a security alliance against Hamas by Netanyahu, emphasizing the Israeli-US relationship during his visit to Washington.
- In response to the protests against his speech and the war in Gaza, Netanyahu referred to the demonstrators as "useful idiots" of Iran, calling their actions nonsensical.
- Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Biden, as well as his predecessor Trump and potential Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, during his time in the United States, seeking continued support for Israeli military affairs.
