The long-awaited speech by Israeli PM Netanyahu took place on Wednesday at the Joint Session of Congress. As the Members of Congress trickled in, the most high profile guest was none other than Elon Musk. Invited by Speaker Johnson, Musk took his place in the third row of the gallery, an appropriate perch for the high-profile entrepreneur.
Not all members of Congress opted to attend. Senator Warren, in a strikingly candid move, declared her absence from what she labeled Prime Minister Netanyahu’s “political show” in Congress. Warren was one of the dozens of Democratic members of Congress who decided to boycott Netanyahu’s speech. “After nearly 300 days, Netanyahu has failed to bring the hostages home and he has created a humanitarian catastrophe – this war must end,” said Warren in her statement.
Palestinian-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib arrived early and engaged in animated discussions with Hoyer and the Democratic leadership, including Representatives Aguilar and Clark. Senator Schumer appeared to be in high spirits, while Senator Manchin was observed in conversation with Senator Sinema, who stood out in a sleeveless, colorful striped dress paired with white and black Nike sneakers.
Leader Jeffries was deep in conversation with Representatives Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar when Senator Manchin made his approach. With his characteristic fervor, Manchin became the center of attention, passionately elaborating on some point, drawing the focus of the group to his animated discourse.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made his way down the aisle to the thunderous applause and cheers from the galleries. The ovations continued unabated as he took his place at the podium, poised to deliver his speech.
Netanyahu commenced his address to the Joint Session of Congress by expressing gratitude to the Speaker of the House. He emphasized that America and Israel “must stand together” in the “clash between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life.”
Netanyahu declared that when America and Israel stand united, “we win and they lose.” He framed the world as being at the “crossroads of history” and vowed to triumph over the “axis of terror.”
He recalled the events of the terrorist attack at the music festival and took a moment to acknowledge Noa Argamani, a former hostage held by Hamas. Seated in the gallery beside his wife, Sara Netanyahu, and just in front of Elon Musk, Argamani received Netanyahu’s heartfelt shout-out: “Noa – we are so thrilled to have you with us today. Thank you.”
Netanyahu framed his speech in the contrast between “good and evil” as a central theme of his speech. The reaction were overall positive but also mixed. Some members were clapping stronger than the others and some not at all. The leader of Israel suggested that anyone who objects to the war in Gaza is a “Hamas sympathizer” which was not well received among many members of Congress.
gallary In a dramatic act of protest, Rep Rashida Tlaib held a banner high in the chamber, directly in front of Netanyahu. One side of her sign read “War Criminal,” while the other side declared “Guilty of Genocide.” Tlaib had a Palestinian guest present at the gallery, Hani Almadhoun, a Palestinian who has lost more than 150 members of his extended family since the start of the Israeli military operation.
As he chamber stood up to applaud during the Netanyahu’s speech, Rashida continued to sit down, checking her phone and holding the sign now again showing the sign ” Guilty of Genocide”
The Israeli Prime Minister delivered a speech that bristled with political fervor and carried the unmistakable overtones of a wartime leader.
From the very podium of the U.S. Congress, Netanyahu took a swipe at the presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and MIT—his alma mater—dismissing them as “befuddled academics.” Utilizing this platform on American soil, Netanyahu framed the attacks on Israel as an assault on America itself, echoing Zelenskyy’s rhetoric in his appeals for international solidarity.
“Israel is first, America is next,” Netanyahu declared, striking a note of urgency. “We are not only protecting ourselves; we are protecting you.” The speech crescendoed with the assertion, “Our victory will be your victory,” eliciting applause from the audience. Netanyahu confidently asserted that “America has our back,” even drawing a parallel between himself and Churchill.
The entire address was a blend of Israeli self-advocacy, but the overall tone was distinctly militant.
Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to former President Trump for the Abraham Accords, which he lauded as a significant achievement. He also touched on attempted assassination of Donald Trump by emphasizing that there is no room for political violence.
The segment in his speech where he was praising Donald Trump record, did not sit well with the Democrats, who notably refrained from applauding during these moments.
Netanyahu laid out the vision for “demilitarized and de-radicalized Gaza.”
“Israel does not seek to settle Gaza. But for the foreseeable future, we must retain overriding security control there to prevent the resurgence of terror, to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel,” he said.
While Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before Congress, demonstrators assembled outside the US Capitol, urging the US to halt arms sales to Israel and push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
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