Thursday Briefing: Netanyahu’s Address to Congress

Netanyahu defended Israel’s war as protesters rallied

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, defended his country’s military campaign in Gaza before Congress yesterday. His address laid bare the divisions in Washington over a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Netanyahu did not discuss the status of a cease-fire deal that Hamas and Israel had been negotiating for weeks. He said the war against Hamas was part of a larger conflict between Iran and the U.S., insisting: “We’re not only protecting ourselves; we’re protecting you.”

“Our enemies are your enemies; our fight is your fight; and our victory will be your victory,” Netanyahu said.

But in the House chamber, the erosion of bipartisan support for Israel was evident. Republicans applauded loudly, but dozens of Democratic members boycotted the speech. Representative Rashida Tlaib, Democrat of Michigan and the first Palestinian American to be a member of Congress, held up a sign that read “war criminal” as Netanyahu spoke.

Outside the Capitol, more than 5,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested Netanyahu’s address, chanting for the U.S. to stop arming Israel. Some clashed with the police and others burned an effigy of the prime minister.

Netanyahu described the antiwar protesters as “Iran’s useful idiots.” He also praised both President Biden and Donald Trump. He will meet both of them, and Vice President Kamala Harris, later this week.