Netanyahu Addresses Joint Session of Congress
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forcefully pushed back against his critics and outlined his post-war vision in a joint address to Congress.
Key Quotes: Netanyahu framed “anti-Israel protesters” as funded by Iran, making them “Iran’s useful idiots.” He criticized “malicious lies” leveled at the Jewish state, including by the International Criminal Court, pointing to Israel’s efforts to allow food aid into Gaza. He said it was a “monstrous evil” for Hamas to use human shields, and called America the “guardian of Western civilization.” Some lawmakers chanted, “USA.”
Post-War Plans: Netanyahu called for “demilitarization and radicalization” of Gaza, with the help of regional partners. For the Middle East, he called for a security alliance to counter Iran.
For Context: Some within the Democratic Party have criticized Netanyahu’s war government, which the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry says has killed over 39,000 Palestinians. While some protesters gathered in Washington, D.C., Democrats including Vice President Kamala Harris declined to attend Netanyahu’s address.
How the Media Covered It: Live coverage was common across the spectrum. Coverage from left-rated outlets was more likely to highlight the protesters.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu tells Congress Hamas ‘barbarism’ must loseIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened his speech to Congress by declaring that US support for his nation’s war with Hamas terrorists ultimately “a clash between barbarism and civilizations.”
Netanyahu entered the chamber a little after 2 p.m. and thanked senior congressional leaders “for giving me the profound honor for addressing this great citadel of democracy for the fourth time” and President Biden for his “heartfelt support” of Israel.
“Today we are at a crossroads of history,” the Israeli leader began, “our world is in upheaval.”
“This is not a...
From the Center
'Unbowed, undaunted, unafraid': PM Netanyahu addresses US CongressIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the US Congress in Washington, DC, on Wednesday for the first time since Hamas launched its brutal attacks on southern Israel last year, triggering the ensuring Israel-Hamas War in Gaza.
It is estimated that more than 80 Democratic politicians in Congress will not come to watch the speech, according to KAN.
Netanyahu began his speech by thanking Congress for allowing him "to visit the great citadel of democracy for the fourth time.
"It's a clash between barbarism and civilization. It's a battle between those...
From the Left
Netanyahu thanks U.S. for support during "crossroads of history," calls campus protesters "useful idiots"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is addressing a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday afternoon, hoping to shore up support for Israel's 10-month war against Hamas in Gaza.
"We meet today at a crossroads of history. Our world is in upheaval," Netanyahu said. "In the Middle East, Iran's axis of terror confronts America, Israel and our Arab friends. This is not a clash of civilizations. It's a clash between barbarism and civilization. It's a clash between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life. For the forces of civilization to triumph,...
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