In a speech to Congress on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined a tentative plan for a “deradicalised” Gaza after the war and promoted the possibility of a future alliance between Israel and America’s Arab allies.
Despite a boycott by dozens of Democrats and thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters nearby, Netanyahu dismissed criticism of Israel’s campaign, which has devastated the Palestinian enclave and killed over 39,000 residents according to Gaza health officials.
Netanyahu accused anti-Israel protesters of aligning with Hamas and speculated, without evidence, that Iran might be funding the demonstrations. He attributed reports of hunger in Gaza to Hamas and insisted that Israel was actively working to protect civilians and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. “For all we know, Iran is funding the anti-Israel protests that are going on right now outside this building,” he said.
Greeted by a standing ovation from Republicans and a more subdued reception from Democrats, Netanyahu pledged that hostages would be released soon. However, many Democratic lawmakers skipped his speech in protest of the civilian deaths and humanitarian crisis resulting from Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s speech came in the wake of the conflict triggered on October 7, when Hamas-led fighters stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 captives. According to Israeli authorities, 120 hostages are still being held, though it’s believed that one in three might be dead.
Netanyahu aimed to bolster U.S. support for Israel, especially in terms of weapon supplies, amidst growing international criticism and the threat of a broader regional conflict. He argued that fast-tracking U.S. military aid could expedite the end of the war in Gaza and prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East.
He also discussed his vision for a “demilitarised and deradicalised Gaza” led by Palestinians who do not seek Israel’s destruction. U.S. officials have pressed Netanyahu to present a “day after” plan for Gaza, but he has rejected both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank, from playing a role.
Netanyahu highlighted the prospects for a broad Middle East security alliance between Israel and its Arab neighbors, something the U.S. has sought as a bulwark against Iran. However, such an arrangement would require normalising relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which currently faces obstacles due to Netanyahu’s stance on Palestinian statehood and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
This speech marked Netanyahu’s fourth address to a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives, surpassing the record of British wartime leader Winston Churchill. Amid tight security reminiscent of the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, thousands of protesters demonstrated outside.
Netanyahu sought to strengthen ties with Republicans while easing tensions with President Joe Biden, whose support he will rely on for the remaining months of Biden’s term. He thanked both Biden and former President Donald Trump for their support of Israel. Biden recently endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, for the Democratic presidential nomination after withdrawing from the race. Harris, who typically presides over such speeches as vice president, did not attend.
Netanyahu made no mention of a pathway to Palestinian statehood, a point of contention with the Biden administration, which supports a two-state solution. His coalition partners staunchly oppose this, but he did not entirely rule out a role for the West Bank-led Palestinian Authority.
In response to Netanyahu’s speech, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri accused him of lying and attempting to cover up for Israel’s failures and the war crimes committed against Gaza’s residents.
“Netanyahu’s speech was full of lies and it will not succeed in covering up for the failure and defeat in the face of the resistance to cover up for the crimes of the war of genocide his army is committing against the people of Gaza,” Abu Zuhri said.
Democratic Senator Ben Cardin expressed mixed feelings about the speech, appreciating Netanyahu’s positive comments about Biden but disapproving of his remarks about American protesters. Senator Chris Murphy criticized Netanyahu for downplaying the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and suggested he should have focused on finalizing a deal to end the war and bring hostages home.
Biden and Harris are scheduled to meet with Netanyahu to discuss progress towards a ceasefire and hostage-release deal. Netanyahu is also set to meet with Trump in Florida, marking their first meeting since the end of Trump’s presidency.
Melissa Enoch
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