Netanyahu Speech To Congress Underscores U.S. Complicity In Gaza War

WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a largely triumphant address to Congress on Wednesday, a historic moment that highlighted how deeply implicated the U.S. is in Netanyahu’s widely condemned handling of Israel’s offensive in Gaza

Netanyahu, who repeatedly received standing ovations from hundreds of lawmakers, declared: “Our fight is your fight! Our victory will be your victory!”

He cast the U.S. and Israel as jointly aligned against multiple opponents: Iran and its allies, favorite punching bags for both nations; but also institutions working on international justice, like the International Criminal Court, which is considering issuing an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

He even won huge applause for condemning Americans who have protested the war, casting them as agents of Iran and “useful idiots” — a line that Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who is reportedly being considered as a potential running mate for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, clapped for.

Netanyahu thanked President Joe Biden for extensive U.S. support for Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 attack by the Gaza-based Palestinian militant group Hamas.

But he made clear that he expects even more: “Give us the tools faster and we’ll finish the job faster,” the Israeli leader said of American weaponry.

Netanyahu’s speech appeared to vindicate attempts by the Israeli leader and House Republicans to undercut criticism of him. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) suggested the address after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called for Netanyahu’s ouster earlier this year; Schumer eventually signed on to the idea.

Many legislators — at least one Republican and roughly half the