فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
In a hawkish and anti-peace speech, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday called on the United States and Israel to “remain united” in confronting what he described as the threat from Hamas and Iran, vigorously defending Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip and condemning opposing protesters.
Netanyahu said before the divided U.S. Congress after more than 9 months of war in Gaza: “For the forces of civilization to prevail, America and Israel must remain united.” He received thunderous applause from Republican representatives.
Netanyahu described Iran as the “axis of terror” that “challenges the United States, Israel and our Arab friends. This is not a clash of civilizations, but a clash between barbarism and civilization.”
Netanyahu received standing ovations dozens of times from the Republican Party, while more than 60 Democratic representatives, including Nancy Pelosi, boycotted his speech in protest over his conduct of the war in Gaza, which resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths and a humanitarian catastrophe, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Thousands of protesters held a demonstration around the Capitol, calling for a halt to U.S. aid to Israel and labeling Netanyahu a “war criminal,” and they burned the American flag.
Netanyahu responded, saying: “I have a message for these protesters: When the tyrants of Tehran who hang homosexuals from construction cranes and kill women who do not cover their hair applaud and fund you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots.”
Netanyahu called on the United States to continue providing military aid to Israel “to accelerate the end of the war,” noting that Israel “not only protects itself but also protects America… Our enemies are your enemies, our struggle is your struggle, and our victory will be your victory.”
He also affirmed that Israel will do “whatever it takes to restore security” on its northern border with Lebanon, expressing his belief in the possibility of “liberating the hostages” held by Hamas, thanking President Joe Biden.
He noted that among those present to hear his speech was 26-year-old Noa Argamani, a former hostage.
This was the fourth time Netanyahu has addressed Congress, a record for a foreign leader.
Netanyahu will meet with President Biden on Thursday, as tensions have risen between them.
Netanyahu is also scheduled to visit Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Friday, where he shares a political alignment and mutual support with Trump. Netanyahu thanked Trump “for everything he did for Israel,” including the Abraham Accords.
Netanyahu’s visit comes at a politically heated time after Biden withdrew from the presidential race. Biden’s administration has expressed irritation in recent months over the consequences of Israel’s response to the Hamas attack, stressing the protection of civilians and the entry of humanitarian aid. Netanyahu also spoke about the post-war phase in Gaza, pledging not to “reoccupy” the Palestinian territories, calling for “demilitarization and de-radicalization” of Gaza with the support of a “Palestinian civilian administration that does not seek to destroy Israel.”
However, he did not mention a Palestinian state, reflecting the wide gulf between Washington and Tel Aviv on this issue.
