Overview of the situation - Protests before Netanyahu's speech in the US Congress
Accompanied by protests, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to deliver a highly anticipated speech before both houses of the US Congress today. The topic is expected to include the ongoing Gaza conflict for over nine months. Relatives of Israeli hostages accompanying Netanyahu on his US trip are hoping for an announcement from the prime minister regarding a ceasefire and release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The police arrested several demonstrators the day before Netanyahu's speech at a building of the US Capitol, where they had legally entered but protest was not allowed. The Capitol Police announced this on Tuesday (local time). The building had seen similar protest actions in the past few months.
Report: Netanyahu aims to improve his image
This is Netanyahu's first visit to Washington in nearly four years and his first overseas trip since the terrorist attack by the Islamist Hamas in Israel on October 7, which led to the war in Gaza. Netanyahu intends to use his speech before the US Congress to rehabilitate not only his tarnished image as "Israel's protector" but also that of the Israeli politician with the greatest influence in the US, according to the well-connected Israeli journalist Barak Ravid on the US news portal "Axios."
Both President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump have announced meetings with Netanyahu. He is scheduled to meet Biden on Thursday and Trump on Friday. It was uncertain for a long time whether Biden's meeting with Netanyahu would take place due to his Corona infection. The atmosphere between Biden and Netanyahu had been tense lately due to the Gaza War. The media reported that there was also a meeting planned with Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Thursday.
Report: Netanyahu meets not only Biden and Trump but also Harris
However, Harris will not attend Netanyahu's speech in Congress today, as she has planned a trip to Indianapolis, the "New York Times" reported. Dozens of Democratic representatives have announced they will boycott Netanyahu's speech, primarily due to Israel's actions in the Gaza War. Many Democrats are also still angry about Netanyahu's speech before the Congress in 2015, which the Republicans had staged at the White House without the knowledge of the Obama administration.
Netanyahu used the speech to criticize the nuclear deal with Iran, one of the most significant foreign policy initiatives of the then-Democratic US President Barack Obama. The result was a rift with the White House and the Democrats that never fully healed, "Axios" wrote recently. It is expected that Netanyahu's new speech will be less controversial this time, according to the "New York Times." Before leaving, Netanyahu emphasized the strength of the alliance between the two countries.
Netanyahu emphasizes the strength of the alliance with the US
He will make efforts to win the support of both political factions in the US, said the Israeli prime minister. "In this time of war and uncertainty, it's important that Israel's enemies know that America and Israel stand together - today, tomorrow, and always," Netanyahu said. Facing a high number of civilian casualties and a catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip, Israel is under international criticism. Netanyahu is accused of dragging the war on for his own political gain.
In a coalition with ultra-religious and far-right parties that reject concessions to Hamas and threaten to bring down the government, Netanyahu governs. While relatives of the hostages held in Gaza hope that Netanyahu will announce a ceasefire in his speech for their release, others are skeptical. The brother of a hostage wrote in the "Times of Israel" that Netanyahu had abandoned his sister and family.
Relatives Demand Hostage Agreements
He initially accepted Netanyahu's invitation for the journey but later rejected it, the man wrote. "As the journey approached, I kept witnessing how my prime minister prioritized the security of his government over the security of the hostages." Netanyahu had presented new conditions for an agreement during indirect negotiations where the USA, Qatar, and Egypt acted as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas. He demanded that Netanyahu announces a hostage deal in his speech.
During a meeting with relatives of the hostages, Netanyahu had been cautiously optimistic. In the sealed-off Gaza Strip, around 120 hostages are still suspected to be held, many of whom might not be alive anymore. In the negotiations about an agreement, Hamas had recently shown more flexibility. However, Netanyahu raised new demands - such as the prolonged presence of Israeli troops at strategic locations in Gaza. Because of this, the negotiations came to a halt.
An Israeli official told "Axios" that Netanyahu intended to use his meeting with Biden to gain support for his demands. He planned to discuss with Biden how to advance their shared goals "in the critical upcoming months," Netanyahu said before departing. Among these goals was the release of all hostages and "victory over Hamas." On the day of the meeting with Biden, an Israeli delegation was to resume the negotiations in Qatar. Hope for a deal had repeatedly been dashed.
- In the Palestinian territories, tensions remain high due to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, which has lasted for over nine months.
- Netanyahu's speech before the US Congress in Tel Aviv is anticipated, focusing on the Gaza conflict and potential ceasefire discussions.
- The United States of America, specifically Washington, is hosting Netanyahu's speech, a significant event marked by protests and political maneuvering.
- The US Congress, a crucial part of the American political system, will listen to Netanyahu's speech, with potential implications for future policy relations.
- Amidst the political tension, police in Washington have arrested demonstrators protesting near the Capitol building the day before Netanyahu's speech.
- Joe Biden, the current US-President, and Donald Trump, a former Republican presidential candidate, have both scheduled meetings with Netanyahu during his visit.
- The New York Times reported that Kamala Harris, Biden's vice president and the Democratic presidential candidate, will not attend Netanyahu's speech in Congress.
- During Netanyahu's speech and meetings, many Democratic representatives have announced their intention to boycott due to Israel's actions in the Gaza War.
- Binyamin Netanyahu, in his visit to the United States, emphasized the strength and resilience of the alliance between Israel and the US, highlighting their unity in the face of conflicts.
- Despite international criticism and accusations of dragging the war for political gain, Binyamin Netanyahu continues his negotiations with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, aiming for the release of hostages.
