Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Addresses US Congress, Protests Occur

– We are at a historic moment, the Iranian axis of terror is threatening To Israel, USA and the Arab states. This is a clash between barbarism and civilization, that is why the US and Israel must be united, because when we are together, we win and they lose. And we will win – declared the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, speaking before the US Congress.

He then recalled the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, comparing it with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001.

Netanyahu recalled the fate of the kidnapped hostages, some of whom are still held in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip. “We are making efforts to free them, this is also happening at this moment, and I am convinced that we will free them,” the Israeli politician emphasized.

He also thanked the president Joe Biden for helping Israel, calling him a proud American Zionist.

One of many protests accompanying Netanyahu's visit to the US is taking place in front of the Congress building. Security measures have been tightened in Washington. The Capitol building has been surrounded by a high fence, additional police units have been brought in and dozens of streets in the city center have been closed, Reuters reported.

Shortly before Netanyahu began his speech, Capitol police said some protesters had become violent. “The crowd did not comply with our order to withdraw from the police line. We are using pepper spray on anyone who tries to break the law and cross that line,” police said in a statement.

Some of the rallies are also anti-Israel and condemn the Jewish state-led war in the Gaza Strip, calling on the US authorities not to support Israel. Others are aimed directly at Netanyahu, calling on him to conclude an agreement with Hamas as soon as possible that would lead to the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. As noted by the AP, all the protests have in common that their participants criticize the Israeli prime minister.

Hundreds of Jewish Voice for Peace activists marched into a U.S. House office building Tuesday night and held a sit-in demanding that Congress “stop funding the ongoing genocide against the Palestinians.” After issuing a warning, officers began to clear out the protesters. Police said about 200 people were arrested. Jewish Voice for Peace said about 400 people were arrested, including a dozen rabbis.

This is Netanyahu's fourth appearance before Congress. The long-time Israeli prime minister has become the foreign leader who has addressed American lawmakers most often. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill has spoken on Capitol Hill three times. Netanyahu's Wednesday address is also the Israeli prime minister's tenth on Capitol Hill, and here too a record will be broken, as leaders Francewho are next on the list, have spoken there nine times.

The Israeli prime minister appeared before a Congress that is deeply divided in its assessment of Israel, which is grappling with international criticism over the war in the Gaza Strip, the New York Times stressed. “Despite Netanyahu's declaration that he will want to 'deepen bipartisan support' for Israel, his speech will reinforce divisions,” the daily commented.

Earlier, many Democratic congressmen announced they would boycott the speech. The session is not chaired Kamala Harriswho, as vice president and head of the Senate, traditionally presides over the proceedings of the joint chambers. Her absence was explained by other duties.

The boycott was announced by, among others, congresswomen from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, as Alexandria Ocasio-CortezRashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Pramila Jayapal, and Democratic senators sitting on the Foreign Relations Committee: Richard Durbin, Tim Kaine, Jeff Merkley and Brian Schatz. JD Vance, Republican senator and vice presidential candidate, was also absent from the chamber Donald Trumpwho explained his absence by his participation in the campaign.

Netanyahu last spoke to Congress in 2015. At the invitation of the Republican majority, he spoke out against the nuclear deal with Iran supported by Democratic President Barack Obama. Iran. The Israeli Prime Minister's speech was boycotted by 58 Democratic congressmen.

“All of Netanyahu's speeches before Congress were held at the invitation of the Republican majority on Capitol Hill during the term of office of Democratic presidents, with whom the Israeli leader did not have the best relations, and ended in complete failure – deepening hostility towards the American government and making empty promises,” commented the Israeli daily Haaretz.