Israeli prime minister gives a fiery speech praising US support for Gaza war and calling protesters ‘Iran’s useful idiots’
In a fiery speech in the House chamber, Benjamin Netanyahu called for “total victory” in the nine-month-old war, dashing hopes among some that he would announce progress toward a ceasefire and the return of Israeli hostages before he met with Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday.
Benjamin Netanyahu lauded US support for Israel’s war in Gaza but offered few details on ceasefire negotiations as he addressed a raucous joint session of US Congress that was boycotted by dozens of Democratic lawmakers and protested by thousands outside the US Capitol.
Israeli premier lauded US support for Israel’s war in Gaza but offered few details on ceasefire negotiations as he addressed a raucous joint session of US Congress that was boycotted by dozens of Democratic lawmakers and protested by thousands outside the US Capitol.
“We’re not only protecting ourselves. We’re protecting you … Our enemies are your enemy, our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory,” Netanyahu shouted, as House and Senate Republicans rose to their feet to applaud the Israeli prime minister.
Outside the fenced-off Capitol, protesters kept chanting: “Netanyahu, you can’t hide. You’re committing genocide.” Streets in Washington’s downtown area were closed to traffic, police used pepper spray against protesters.
