 "'Hamas' attack on Israel equivalent to twenty 9/11s in one day': Netanyahu at US Congress address")
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the October 7 attack by Israel is equivalent to twenty 9/11s in one day as he addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress on Wednesday.
He said that the Israel-Hamas war is “not a clash of civilisations but a clash between civilisation and barbarism.
The prime minister was greeted in the US House chamber with applause and cheers by the members of the Congress.
“We meet today at a crossroads of history. Our world is in upheaval. In the Middle East, Iran’s axis of terror confronts America, Israel and our Arab friends,” Netanyahu said.
He added, “For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together,” as the Israeli prime minister urged for Washington’s support.
‘Won’t rest until all hostages are home’
Highlighting the plight of families who still have their loved ones held hostage by Hamas, Netanyahu said, “The pain these families have endured is beyond words. “I met with them again yesterday and I promised them this: I will not rest until all their loved ones are home. All of them.”
Noa Argamani, who was held by Hamas, was present at the Congress during the prime minister’s address.
He also expressed confidence in efforts to secure the release of the rest of the hostages seized by Hamas.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsNetanyahu thanks Biden
The Israeli prime minister praised US President Joe Biden for his support to the country.
He said, “President Biden and I have known each other for over 40 years. I want to thank him for half a century of friendship with Israel and for being, as he says, a proud zionist. Actually, he says, a proud Irish American zionist.”
He added, “I thank President Biden for his heartfelt support for Israel. After the savage attack on October 7, he rightly called Hamas ‘sheer evil.’ He dispatched two aircraft carriers to the Middle East to deter a wider war, and he came to Israel to stand with us during our darkest hour, a visit that will never be forgotten.”
The Israeli leader also expressed gratitude for Biden’s efforts to bring back hostages.
Netanyahu hails contribution of IDF soldiers
At least four Israeli soldiers were present at the US Congress during the prime minister’s address. These soldiers fought and survived the war with Hamas. Netanyahu hailed their contributions as he made mention of them during his speech.
“My friends, these are the soldiers of Israel — unbowed, undaunted, unafraid,” he said as he highlighted their accomplishments.
Gaza protesters are ‘Iran’s useful idiots’
Slamming pro-Palestinian protestors, especially campus demonstrators, Netanyahu said that they are “Iran’s useful idiots.”
“I have a message for these protesters: 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,” Netanyahu said.
He said that anti-Israel protestors should be “ashamed” and that they “stand with Hamas, rapists and murderers.”
Netanyahu’s post-war Gaza vision
As he urged the US to fast-track military aid to Gaza, the Israeli prime minister envisioned a post-war situation for Gaza.
He reiterated that Israel would not settle until Hamas is destroyed, adding that the country is willing to end the war as soon as tomorrow only if the Palestinian terrorist group “surrenders and disarms.”
“My vision for that day is of a demilitarized and de-radicalized Gaza. Israel does not seek to resettle Gaza, but for the foreseeable future, we must retain overriding security control there to prevent the resurgence of terror, to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”
Netanyahu thanks Trump
During his address, Netanyahu did not forget to mention former US President Donald Trump and thanked him for his support for Israel.
“I also want to thank President Trump for all the things he did for Israel, from recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights to confronting Iran’s aggression, to recognizing Jerusalem as our capital and moving the American Embassy there.”
Trump will meet the Israeli prime minister at his private estate in Florida on Friday.
About the address
Netanyahu was invited to the US by House Speaker Mike Johnson as his Republican party vows to provide unflinching support to Israel if and when it comes to power after the November presidential elections.
Meanwhile, Kamala Harris, who kicked off her presidential campaign on Tuesday, will meet the Israeli leader later this week but will not preside over his address, as vice presidents are expected to do.
US President Joe Biden and Donald Trump are expected to meet him later during the week.
Many Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi, Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Jim Clyburn and Rep. Ilhan Omar boycotted Netanyahu’s address over his conduct of the Israel-Hamas war.
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