Netanyahu defends Gaza war conduct, slams protesters as 'Iran’s useful idiots'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US lawmakers Wednesday that his vision for Gaza the day after war with Hamas ends includes a continued Israeli military presence in the war-torn enclave.

“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,” the prime minister said in his address to a joint session of the US Congress.

Netanyahu also shared a vision for a US-Israeli negotiated security alliance in the region building off the progress of the Abraham Accords, which are aimed at countering the growing threat of Iran. “I think we should call it the Abraham Alliance,” he added.

Netanyahu’s visit to Capitol Hill comes amid months of ongoing cease-fire and hostage-release negotiations. Dozens of Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), boycotted the speech on Wednesday. 

Like many Democrats not in attendance, Pelosi instead met with families of the hostages. She called Netanyahu’s speech “by far the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary” invited to give a joint address. 

“These families are asking for a ceasefire deal that will bring the hostages home — and we hope the Prime Minister would spend his time achieving that goal,” Pelosi said on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

Vice President Kamala Harris chose to stick to her campaign schedule and skip the address rather than be seated on the dais behind Netanyahu. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Ben Cardin (D-Md.) presided over the speech in her place.

Harris will meet with Netanyahu on Thursday, according to the White House. 

Since Israel declared war on Hamas following the Palestinian militant group’s killing of some 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping of 251 people on Oct. 7, support for Netanyahu’s leadership of the war has waned among Democrats in Washington. Israel’s attacks on Gaza have killed more than 38,900 people, a majority of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

But despite calls for a cease-fire, Netanyahu cast a continued war with Hamas in Gaza — as well as with Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis rebels in Yemen — as the lynchpin to regional security. He urged US lawmakers to expedite security assistance to continue the fight with the militant groups.

“I'm confident that our two nations will vanquish the tyrants and terrorists who threaten us both,” the Israeli prime minister said.

Netanyahu also boldly rejected accusations that Israel has failed to properly protect civilians in Gaza as its military sought to root out Hamas. Durbin called the Israeli war strategy and the resulting Palestinians death toll “beyond any acceptable level of self-defense,” in a statement on Tuesday.

“Israel will fight until we destroy Hamas's military capabilities and its rule in Gaza and bring all our hostages home. That's what total victory means. And we will settle for nothing less," Netanyahu said. 

‘America is next’ 

Netanyahu also used the platform to hit back at the International Criminal Court. The ICC’s prosecutor is pursuing an arrest warrant for the prime minister and the country's defense chief for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the war in Gaza. Netanyahu called the ICC's accusations that Israel has blocked food aid from entering Gaza “a complete fabrication.” He said the court's claim that the Israeli military has deliberately targeted civilians is “Hamas propaganda.”

In a bid to bolster US opposition to the ICC’s jurisdiction, Netanyahu gave a warning. Neither Israel nor the United States is party to the Rome Statute, which established the court. 

“The ICC is trying to shackle Israel's hands and prevent us from defending ourselves. And if Israel's hands are tied, America is next. And I'll tell you what else is next — the ability of all democracies to fight terrorism will be in peril. That's what's on the line,” he said.

The prime minister also attacked US protestors against the Gaza war, particularly those on college campuses, claiming they are funded by Iran, and slammed universities, including Harvard, for not responding more forcefully to anti-Israel demonstrations on campuses.

“I have a message for these protestors: 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,” the prime minister said.

Republicans responded with roaring applause to Netanyahu's cry for a firm response to rising antisemitism in America.  

Protests in the chamber

Several guests in the US House chamber opened their jackets during the address to reveal bright yellow shirts with red lettering that read “Seal the deal NOW,” referencing the US-led cease-fire and hostage-release deal mediated by Egypt and Qatar. They were removed from the gallery by law enforcement. Netanyahu spent only a few moments outlining his efforts to secure the release of 120 remaining hostages held by Hamas, including eight US citizens. “I will not rest until all their loved ones are home — all of them,” the prime minister said. Some family members of hostages in the audience hoped that Netanyahu would announce that a deal had been reached during the address.

Police also responded to thousands of protesters on the streets of Washington on Wednesday who were urging lawmakers to end aid to Israel, though the area surrounding the Capitol Building had been cordoned off.

On the floor, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) wore a kafifyeh and held a double-sided sign that read “WAR CRIMINAL” and “GUILTY OF GENOCIDE.” Tlaib is the only Palestinian American serving in Congress. 

Several Democrats, including Tlaib, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), remained seated throughout the majority of the speech when some of their Democratic colleagues joined Republicans in standing ovations.

Netanyahu concluded his speech to loud applause. But exiting the chamber, he primarily shook hands with Republican lawmakers, as Democrats quickly made their way out. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who called Netanyahu an “obstacle” to peace back in March, did not shake hands with the Israeli leader before or after the speech.