Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Addresses Congress
Source: The Washington Post / Getty
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Congress on Wednesday, during which he vowed “total victory” against Hamas and condemned American opponents of the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu told American lawmakers “My friends, I came to assure you today of one thing: We will win.” But he added that, in the face of ongoing clashes with Hamas and conflict with Iran and Iranian-backed groups, “America and Israel must stand together”.
Pro-Palestinian groups and college students have for months protested in the U.S. against Israel’s offensive in Gaza. Netanyahu ripped these protestors and accused Iran of funding the protests during his address.
“I have a message for these protesters. When the tyrants of Tehran, who hang gays from cranes and murder women for not covering their hair, are praising, promoting and funding you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots,” Netanyahu said.
“Some of these protesters hold up signs proclaiming gays for Gaza. They might as well hold up signs saying ‘Chickens for KFC.’ These protesters chant ‘From the river to the sea.’ But many don’t have a clue what river and what sea they’re talking about.”
At several points in the speech, Netanyahu sought to tie Israel’s war on Hamas and Iranian proxies in the Middle East to unrest within the U.S., stressing that his country is Washington’s closest ally in an increasingly unstable region.
“We’re not only protecting ourselves, we’re protecting you,” he said, eliciting a standing ovation. “Our enemies are your enemies. Our fight is your fight. And our victory will be your victory. Ladies and gentlemen, that victory is in sight. Israel’s defeat of Hamas will be a powerful blow to Iran’s axis of terror.”
