Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the US Congress in Washington, DC, on Wednesday for the first time since Hamas launched its brutal attacks on southern Israel last year, triggering the ensuring Israel-Hamas War in Gaza.
It is estimated that more than 80 Democratic politicians in Congress will not come to watch the speech, according to KAN.
Netanyahu began his speech by thanking Congress for allowing him “to visit the great citadel of democracy for the fourth time.
“It’s a clash between barbarism and civilization. It’s a battle between glorifying death and those who cherish life. America and Israel must stand together. Because when we stand together, something very simple happens, we win, they lose. I came to assure you, my friends, of one thing, we will win.”
Netanyahu also referenced rescued hostage Noa Argamani, who also visited the capital and was seen standing next to the prime minister’s wife, Sara Netanyahu.
Netanyahu referenced Noa’s mother, Liora Argamani, who had recently died from cancer and noted her one wish to see her daughter again.
“When Noa was reunited with her mother, Liora, her wish came true. Noa, we are so thrilled to have you here with us today.
“Many hostage families are also here with us today, including Eliyahu Bibas” – referencing the Bibas family, many of whom were taken hostage by Hamas, including a 1-year-old.
“We also have families with American hostages here. The pain these families have endured is beyond words. I will not rest until all of their loved ones are home.
“As we speak, we are currently engaged in efforts to secure their release. I want to thank President Biden for his heartfelt support for Israel. He rightly called Hamas ‘sheer evil.’ He came to Israel to visit us during our darkest hour, which will never be forgotten.
“I have known Biden for 40 years. I want to thank him for his friendship.”
Netanyahu mentioned Avichai Reuven, who also visited the US Capitol, where the prime minister praised him for his heroic efforts on October 7, where he said, “he ran eight miles towards the incident, killed many terrorists, and saved countless lives.”
Other IDF soldiers were also present in the US Capitol building, where Netanyahu praised them for their heroic efforts and bravery during October 7 and the ongoing Gaza war.
“These are the soldiers of Israel, unbound, undaunted, unafraid!” he continued.
“The men and women of the IDF come from every corner of Israeli society, religious and secular, every ethnicity. I promise to all the bereaved families in Israel that the sacrifice of your loved ones will not be in vain.
“Never again must not be an empty promise, and after October 7, never again is now!” Netanyahu continued.
“Defeating our enemies requires courage and clarity., which includes knowing the difference between good and evil.” Netanyahu later references anti-Zionist Jews who “stand with Hamas, who stand with evil. These protesters stand with them. They should be ashamed of themselves.”
“They make no distinction between terrorists and civilians. We recently learned that Iran is funding anti-Israel protests. So I want to salute the fraternity brothers at the University of North Carolina for standing up to them.”
“When the tyrants of Tehran hang gays from cranes and execute women for not covering their hair, they are silent. They are Iran’s useful idiots.
“Some of these protesters hold up signs saying: ‘Gays for Gaza’ they might as well hold signs saying ‘Chickens for KFC.
They keep talking about ‘from the river to the sea.’ They don’t even know which river or which sea.
“For 4,000 years, Israel has been the home of the Jewish people. It will always be our home.”
“It’s not only campus protesters who get it wrong. It’s also the people who run those campuses. It’s a shame that the heads of those campuses couldn’t bring themselves to condemn calls for the genocide of Jews,” referencing the heads of Harvard, Penn, and Netanyahu’s alma mater – MIT.
“Just as malicious lies are being held against the Jewish people for centuries, malicious lies are being held against the Jewish state today. We must unequivocally condemn antisemitism and fight it everywhere.
“The prosecutor of the ICC has shamefully accused Israel of intentionally starving the people of Gaza. This is, of course, nonsense. If there are Palestinians in Gaza that aren’t getting enough food, it’s not because Israel is blocking aid – it’s because Hamas is stealing it.”
Netanyahu also encouraged US politicians to listen to John Spencer, the researcher of urban warfare at West Point, who said that “Israel has done more than anyone else to prevent civilian casualties – even more than international law requires. The war in Gaza has one of the lower civilian to combatant ratios in the history of urban warfare.” Netanyahu said that the lowest civilian-to-combatant ratio is in the city of Rafah.
“The soldiers shouldn’t be condemned for their efforts for their war in Gaza; they should be commended,” he continued.
“The ICC lies are not only libels but are dangerous. America is next, as well as all democracies fighting terrorism. The state of Israel will never be shackled. Israel will always defend itself.”
“Iran is virtually behind all the terrorism, chaos, and killing. Ask yourself: who is in Iran’s way to impose radical Islam on the world? It is America.”
“Iran realizes that to challenge America, it must first conquer the Middle East. – with the use of all its proxies. But Israel stands in its way. That’s why the mobs in Tehran chant ‘Death to Israel’ before ‘Death to America.’
“When we fight Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, we fight Iran. When we fight Iran, we fight America’s biggest enemy. We are not only protecting ourselves. We are protecting you.”
“If you remember one thing from this speech, our enemies are your enemies, our fight is your fight, and our victory is your victory. That victory is in sight. Hamas’s defeat will be a devastating blow to Iran.”
Netanyahu took note of Hezbollah’s terror and how “80 thousand of Israel’s citizens in the north became refugees in their own home.”
Netanyahu also mentioned the Houthi attack on Tel Aviv and how he issued “a swift response to the attack.
“I know that America has our back on both sides of the aisle. We’ve jointly developed the most sophisticated weapons on Earth to protect our countries.”
Netanyahu mentioned Winston Churchill’s appeal to the US during World War Two: “Give us the tools, and we’ll finish the job.” referring top US military aid of Israel.
“The war in Gaza can end tomorrow if Hamas surrenders its arms and releases all of the hostages. But if they don’t, Israel will fight until all of Hamas’s military capabilities are destroyed.
“Gaza should be run by Palestinians who don’t want to destroy Israel. That should not be too much to ask. A new generation of Palestinians must not be taught to hate Jews but to live next to us.”
Netanyahu also presented his vision for a postwar Gaza, noting that “deradicalization and demilitarization” were the only paths to peace.
Netanyahu also presented his idea of an “Abraham Alliance” – an extension of the Abraham Accords, he claimed, in which all countries with diplomatic relations with Israel, and those who will in the future, “will stand against Iran’s terror.
“The new alliance I envision could be an extension of the Abraham Accords – which was supported by Republicans and Democrats alike. I have a new name for this alliance: The Abraham Alliance. I want to thank Trump for his efforts in the Abraham Accords.”
He also went on to say that “There is no room for political violence in democracies,” referring to Trump’s near assassination. “I want to thank Trump for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the US embassy there, as well as our sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Jerusalem – our eternal capital, is never to be divided again.”
“Israel will always remain America’s ally, through thick and thin, in good times and in bad; Israel will always be your friend and steadfast partner. Thank you for standing with Israel in its hour of need. Together, we shall secure a future for both our nations. May God bless Israel, God bless America, and God bless the alliance between our two nations.”
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