"Our (Israel's) victory is your (America's) victory."
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, who visited the U.S. Congress on the 24th (local time), defined the war with the Palestinian armed faction Hamas as a "clash between civilization and barbarism" and urged the U.S. for swift military support. In his speech to Congress, he harshly criticized those holding anti-war protests outside the Capitol as "useful idiots for Iran."
In a joint session of the House and Senate held at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. that afternoon, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated, "For the victory of civilization, the United States and Israel must stand together." He mentioned that Iran, which is behind Hamas, considers the U.S. its main enemy, and raised his voice saying, "Our enemy is your enemy. Our fight is your fight. And our victory will be your victory."
He reaffirmed the existing stance that there will be no compromise in the war against Hamas. He justified the war between Israel and Hamas as "not a clash between civilizations but a clash between civilization and barbarism." He also declared, "Israel will fight until Hamas's military capabilities and governance in Gaza are eliminated and all hostages are brought home," adding, "That is a complete victory, and we will not compromise for anything less."
Netanyahu appealed to the U.S. by saying, "While Israel is fighting on the front lines of civilization today, I also appeal to America," emphasizing, "If you give us the tools faster, we can finish the job faster." This statement quoted a line ("Give us the tools, and we will finish the job") from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's radio speech requesting swift military support from the U.S. during World War II.
Furthermore, Netanyahu dismissed criticisms that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza as "an enormous slander." Targeting the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant against him, he said, "They are trying to shackle Israel's hands and block our right to self-defense," warning, "If Israel's hands are tied, the next will be the United States. It will jeopardize the ability of all democratic countries to counter terrorism." He also claimed that civilian casualties in Gaza due to Israeli operations are "practically none," arguing that Hamas uses residents as human shields.
He also presented a new vision for Gaza after the war. Netanyahu said, "Israel does not intend to resettle Gaza," adding, "To prevent terrorism from recurring and to ensure Gaza never again threatens Israel, we must have decisive security control." He referred to the concept of "demilitarization and de-radicalization" applied to Germany and Japan after World War II, predicting that "the demilitarization and de-radicalization of Gaza can lead to a future of security, prosperity, and peace." He also mentioned the Abraham Accords during the Donald Trump administration, stating that such security alliances are needed in the Middle East. Previously, the Trump administration mediated the Abraham Accords, enabling Israel to establish diplomatic relations with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and others.
At the same time, Netanyahu launched harsh criticism against those condemning Israel's attacks on Gaza, saying they are "on the side of rapists and murderers." He mentioned Iran's financial support for anti-Israel protests and claimed the protesters had "become useful idiots for Iran." On the day of Netanyahu's congressional speech, more than 5,000 protesters gathered outside the Capitol holding placards reading "War Criminal" and "Genocide Prime Minister" and staged demonstrations.
Netanyahu's speech to the U.S. Congress was his first since the war began in Gaza following Hamas's terrorist attack in October last year. It was also his third speech. During the approximately 52-minute speech, no specific remarks were made regarding ceasefire negotiations. Netanyahu expressed gratitude for President Biden's support for Israel and also mentioned former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate. His expression of gratitude was met with several standing ovations inside the Capitol.
However, Vice President Kamala Harris, who is widely expected to be the Democratic presidential candidate in the upcoming November election and serves as the Senate President by virtue of her office, did not attend the speech. She cited campaign schedule commitments as the reason, but analysts suggest this may be an effort to regain support from voters who have distanced themselves from Biden's Middle East policy, which has been pro-Israel, as she positions herself as a future presidential contender. In addition to Vice President Harris, dozens of Democratic lawmakers, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, expressed their protest by not attending the speech. Inside the Capitol, some lawmakers, including Palestinian-American Representative Rashida Tlaib, were seen sitting throughout the speech holding black signs with "War Criminal" and "Genocide Charges" written on both sides.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Vice President Harris on the 25th in addition to a separate meeting with President Biden. Afterwards, on the 26th, he will travel to Florida to hold talks with former President Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort.
Meanwhile, Hamas immediately rebutted Netanyahu's speech as "baseless propaganda and lies." In a statement, Hamas claimed it was "an excuse for committing brutal crimes against women, children, and the elderly in Gaza." Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the independent Palestinian party Palestinian National Initiative, also criticized the speech as "full of lies" and accused it of "promoting Islamophobia."
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