Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Netanyahu’s Hill speech forcefully rebuts Israel’s detractors, draws polarized response

 The hour-long address drew frequent applause from those who attended, but a sizable number of Democrats either boycotted or remained seated (jewishinsider.com)

He also condemned, in harsh terms, the anti-Israel protesters seen on college campuses and elsewhere in the country. . . . Referencing a recent U.S. intelligence assessment saying that Iran was funding the protests, he described the demonstrators as “useful idiots” for Iran.

Hamas was here. Oct 7

"In his fourth address to Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an aggressive case to the U.S. and the world in defense of Israel’s operations in Gaza, while also offering appreciation to President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump for their support for Israel.

"While the hour-long speech received frequent applause from the lawmakers in attendance, about 120 congressional Democrats and a handful of Republicans were absent from the address, a significant boycott of a speech by a foreign leader. In the chamber, many Democrats remained seated or declined to applaud for significant portions of the speech.

Much of the speech was dedicated to defending Israel from attacks and criticism it has faced on the world stage since the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks, repeating arguments often invoked by the Jewish state and its allies.

"Just as malicious lies were leveled at the Jewish people, now they’re being leveled at the Jewish state… meant to delegitimize Israel to demonize the Jewish state and to demonize Jews everywhere,” Netanyahu said.

He called criticism from the International Criminal Court “nonsense,” highlighting that Israel had allowed half a million tons of food into Gaza, and blaming Hamas theft for any food shortages inside Gaza.

"And, responding to claims by the ICC’s prosecutor that Israel has deliberately targeted civilians, Netanyahu said, “What in God’s green earth is he talking about?” He warned that if the ICC’s charges were allowed to stand, America and other democracies would next be targeted and constrained by the international court." . . .

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