A fiery Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to press ahead with Israel’s war against Palestinian Hamas militants until they surrender and free scores of Israeli and foreign hostages, and he urged lawmakers to send more military aid to the Jewish state in a defiant address to both chambers of Congress on Wednesday.
Mr. Netanyahu delivered his fourth address to a joint session of Congress more than nine months into his polarizing war with Hamas, which was sparked by the group’s Oct. 7 terrorist rampage across southern Israel that killed an estimated 1,200 people. He hoped to shore up support for his continued campaign while calls for an immediate cease-fire, including from a wary Biden administration, intensified.
In his remarks, Mr. Netanyahu made no mention of a cease-fire or momentary pause in fighting. Instead, he made the case that Israel was fighting not only to defend itself but also on behalf of the U.S. against Iran and other American adversaries across the Middle East.
“Our enemies are your enemies, our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory,” he said in an address frequently interrupted by ovations that did not always elicit equal enthusiasm from both sides of the political aisle.
He portrayed the conflict as one of civilization against “barbarism” and said Israel would be unrelenting in its war against Hamas “no matter how long it takes.”
Mr. Netanyahu sharply rejected findings by the International Court of Justice criticizing Israel’s campaign in the Gaza Strip and settlements approved by his government in land claimed by the Palestinians. He had harsh words for those protesting outside the Capitol as he spoke. He cited at one point U.S. intelligence reports that Iran, Israel’s implacable enemy, has helped finance some of the pro-Palestinian demonstrations in recent months.
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“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,” he said of the protesters.
The Israeli prime minister, whose conservative, nationalist coalition government faces intensifying political pressures back home, was invited by congressional leaders but was not in the U.S. on an official visit. He is scheduled to hold a private meeting with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday and travel to Florida on Friday for a meeting with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Not holding back
Mr. Netanyahu was not holding back in his congressional remarks despite the growing partisan divide in the U.S. over support for Israel in its war with Hamas. Palestinian sources say the fighting has resulted in nearly 39,000 civilian and militant deaths in the densely populated Gaza Strip.
Quoting British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s World War II address to Congress, Mr. Netanyahu argued that if the U.S. fast-tracked military aid to Israel, it would end the conflict sooner and prevent a “broader war in the Middle East.”
“Give us the tools faster, and we’ll finish the job faster,” he said.
Mr. Biden has worked to broker a multiphase cease-fire deal to end the hostilities, release the remaining hostages — eight of whom are U.S. citizens — and rebuild Gaza. Questions about who will control Gaza and provide security for the enclave after the war have frustrated negotiators who say they are otherwise closing in on a deal.
Although their relationship is strained, Mr. Netanyahu repeatedly thanked Mr. Biden for his support over the years and in the immediate aftermath of Hamas’ attack while throwing cold water on his push for a cease-fire. He noted that the president had referred to himself as an “Irish-American Zionist.”
Mr. Netanyahu made it clear that Israeli forces would continue to press their offensive until Hamas unconditionally surrendered.
“The war in Gaza could end tomorrow if Hamas surrenders, disarms and returns all the hostages. But if they don’t, Israel will fight until Israel destroys Hamas’ military capabilities,” he said.
He was addressing a divided Congress, where Republicans are largely united in support of Mr. Netanyahu and a growing pro-Palestinian faction is challenging the Democratic Party’s longtime support of Israel.
About half of all Democratic lawmakers were absent, including several prominent Democrats. They included Vice President Kamala Harris, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington and Sen. Richard J. Durbin of Illinois.
Democratic lawmakers and critics of Mr. Netanyahu’s campaign argued that his quest to eradicate Hamas has led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians and the blockade of much-needed aid in Gaza. Other Democrats who are more sympathetic to his cause wanted to hear him outline a plan to free the remaining hostages and hear his vision for the future of Gaza.
The Israeli prime minister denied charges that his country was holding back food and other humanitarian aid for trapped Gaza residents. At one point in his speech, he cited a West Point scholar to argue that Israel’s army was highly sensitive to the need to protect civilians and that the civilian casualty rate in Gaza was lower than for any comparable urban military assault in history.
Gaza concerns
Mr. Netanyahu vowed to “not rest” until the remaining hostages were freed and, at one poignant moment, recognized in the gallery Noa Argamani, an Israeli hostage captured on Oct. 7 and subsequently freed.
He insisted his government did not seek to dominate the Palestinian territories.
“The day after we defeat Hamas, a new Gaza could emerge,” he said. “My vision for that day is of demilitarized and de-radicalized Gaza. Israel does not seek to resettle Gaza.”
Meanwhile, thousands of protesters coalesced in Washington to call Mr. Netanyahu a “war criminal” and demand an immediate cease-fire. Mr. Netanyahu accused the protesters of standing with Hamas and “murderers and rapists.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, had warned lawmakers that anyone who disrupted the speech would be immediately removed and arrested.
Only Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Michigan Democrat and the only Palestinian American serving in Congress, held a sign that read “GUILTY OF GENOCIDE” on one side and “WAR CRIMINAL” on the other, but she was not removed from the chamber.
Six protesters seated in the crowded visitors’ gallery above the chamber were removed and arrested, the U.S. Capitol Police said.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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