Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, defending Israel’s war effort in Gaza and condemning American protesters calling for a ceasefire. As thousands of protesters gathered for a “day of rage” outside the Capitol Building to accuse Netanyahu of committing war crimes and causing a humanitarian crisis, the prime minister vowed to press on until Israel obtains “total victory.”
“America and Israel must stand together,” Netanyahu said. “When we stand together something really simple happens: we win, they lose.”
He went on to deride Americans protesting the war in Gaza as “useful idiots” being exploited by Iran, the primary backer of Israel’s international adversaries.
LIVE –> Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin @Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress – LIVE on C-SPAN https://t.co/ZcBwc8lBZC
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 24, 2024
Learn more about the 2024 Vault Conference and secure your ticket today!
On Tuesday, a large group of pro-Palestine protesters from activist groups Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow took over the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill, leading to dozens of arrests.
⚠️⚠️⚠️ 300+ ARRESTS HAPPENING NOW INSIDE CONGRESS: HUNDREDS OF JEWS AND ALLIES ARE GETTING ARRESTED FOR DEMANDING OUR GOVERNMENT STOP ARMING ISRAEL. CEASEFIRE NOW — END THE PALESTINIAN GENOCIDE. pic.twitter.com/PvthT4vfCu
— Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive) July 23, 2024
Netanyahu’s controversial appearance, his first since 2015, was also met with objections from members of Congress, including roughly a dozen senators and nearly 50 House representatives. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were also not in attendance, but both have scheduled meetings with Netanyahu later this week.
The Israeli Prime Minister will also meet with former President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday.
“During my first term, we had Peace and Stability in the Region, even signing the historic Abraham Accords – And we will have it again,” Trump wrote on Truth Social announcing the meeting. “My PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH Agenda will demonstrate to the World that these horrible, deadly Wars, and violent Conflicts must end.”
Somewhat cryptically, Trump also posted an image of a letter from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressing his concern following the recent attempt on Trump’s life. Trump appears to have penned a response to the letter on the document, thanking Abbas and telling him that “everything will be good.” This image was accompanied by a message from Trump saying he is “looking forward to seeing Bibi Netanyahu” and “achieving peace in the Middle East.”
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
Got a hot scoop or an idea for a story? Connect with the VT writers on Minnect!
Add comment