After Israel experienced one of the worst attacks and loss of life since the Holocaust on Oct. 7, 2023, President Joe Biden voiced America’s support for Israel and its people in the strongest terms, telling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that US backing was ironclad. Nine months later, reality has set in. Fighting a war with Hamas terrorists who use civilians as shields is a messy business, causing Biden’s strong common cause with Israel to go wobbly sometimes.
Protesters Want Netanyahu to Call a Cease-fire
In an attempt to work through growing disagreements on how Israel is fighting to eliminate Hamas as a threat to the Jewish nation, Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress on July 24. But the prime minister struck some controversial notes. “Netanyahu’s American visit has touched off a wave of protest activity, with some demonstrations condemning Israel and others expressing support but pressuring Netanyahu to strike a cease-fire deal and bring home the hostages still being held by Hamas,” the Associated Press reported.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who would typically preside over the session, was out of town at a previously scheduled event. Next in line was Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), but she boycotted. “In the absence of both Harris and Murray, the session will instead be presided over by Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., who is retiring after this Congress,” Fox News explained. Any thought of absent legislators or faltering US leadership faded in the thunderous applause that greeted Netanyahu as he entered the chamber.
Those anticipating a passionate, moving, and substantive speech were not disappointed. The theme sounded at the outset. Netanyahu began:
“Today we are 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. This is not a clash of civilizations. It is a clash between barbarism and civilization. It is a clash between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life. For the forces of civilization to triumph America and Israel must stand together. Because when we stand together, something very simple happens [invoking a famous line from President Ronald Reagan]. We win. They lose.”
The prime minister recounted the horrendous day, Oct. 7, “that will forever live in infamy,” when 3,000 murderous Hamas terrorists attacked the kibbutzim in southern Israel, beheading men, raping, murdering, and mutilating women, and burning babies alive. “They butchered 1200 people from 41 countries, including 39 Americans. They dragged 255 people, both living and dead, into the dark dungeons of Gaza,” he told the audience. Netanyahu even took time during his speech to recognize a hostage in the audience who had been freed in a “breathtaking commando” rescue, as well as four members of the Israel Defense Force (IDF), proudly describing how one Israeli paratrooper, upon hearing of the attack, grabbed his rifle and, not finding transportation, ran eight miles to engage the enemy, killing many attackers.
Effusive in his gratitude to the United States for its support, the Israeli leader mentioned President Biden specifically. Netanyahu spoke directly to the protesters supporting the Hamas terrorists. “Many choose to stand with evil. They stand with Hamas. They stand with rapists and murderers … They should be ashamed of themselves.” Netanyahu pointed out that he had recently learned from the US National Security director that “Iran is funding and promoting anti-Israel protests in America. They want to disrupt America.”
Protesters Are Iran’s Useful Idiots
He then issued words for the protesters outside the Capitol building and on university campuses. “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.” He accurately characterized Iran and the despair and destruction the mullahs are wreaking in the Middle East. To put the protesters’ understanding of the world in context, he talked about them holding up signs reading “Gays for Gaza.” He said, “They might as well be holding up signs saying ‘Chickens for KFC.'”
The Israeli chief executive then recounted the host of lies being propagated about the Jewish nation. Shameful accusations about Israel starving the people of Gaza were a case in point. “This is utter, complete nonsense,” he argued. “Israel has enabled more than 40,000 aid trucks to enter Gaza. That’s half a million tons of food … If there are Palestinians in Gaza not getting enough food, it’s not because Israel is blocking it. It’s because Hamas is stealing it.”
The Israeli leader was showered with applause at nearly every sentence. He thanked former President Donald Trump for brokering the Abraham Accords and moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem. As the prime minister’s speech ended, his words were powerful:
“I promise you this. No matter how long it takes. No matter how difficult the road ahead, Israel will not relent; Israel will not bend; we will defend our land; we will defend our people. We will fight until we achieve victory, victory of liberty over tyranny, victory of life over death, victory of good over evil. That’s our solemn commitment … Israel will always remain America’s indispensable ally.”
Netanyahu will meet with President Biden and Vice President Harris on Thursday, July 25, and with former President Trump on Friday, July 26. Whatever the atmospherics of Netanyahu’s visit to the US were supposed to be, the prime minister hit the ball out of the park in the joint session of Congress.
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