On 24th July (local time) Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, delivered a powerful and emotional speech before a joint session of Congress. He emphasised the unbreakable bond between the US and Israel. PM Netanyahu urged the US to continue its support as Israel faces escalating threats from Iran and its proxies. Notably, this was the fourth time PM Netanyahu has addressed the Congress.
PM Netanyahu opened his address by highlighting the global challenges and the critical crossroads at which the world stands in today’s time. He particularly focused on the threats posed by Iran. He said, “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.” Speaking on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, he deemed it as a battle between “barbarism and civilisation” rather than calling it a regional issue.
He recounted the horrifying terrorist attack of 7th October 2023 by Hamas. PM Netanyahu drew parallels between last year’s attack with other infamous dates in history including 7th December 1941 and 11th September 2001. Describing the terrorist attack, he said, “Three thousand Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel. They butchered 1,200 people from 41 countries, including 39 Americans. They raped women, beheaded men, burnt babies alive, and killed parents in front of their children.” Emphasising the scale of the attack, he noted, “Proportionately, compared to our population size, that’s like 20 9/11s in one day.”
נחזיר את כל חטופינו הביתה. את כולם. pic.twitter.com/pH1fLN54Q3
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 25, 2024
Expressing his deep gratitude to US President Joe Biden for his unwavering support, PM Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted Biden’s condemnation of Hamas as “sheer evil” and President Biden’s decisive actions including dispatching aircraft carriers to the Middle East. He said, “President Biden and I have known each other for over forty years. I want to thank him for half a century of friendship with Israel and for being, as he says, a proud Zionist.” PM Netanyahu also praised President Biden for his visit to Israel amidst ongoing war stating it would never be forgotten.
One of the rescued hostages from Gaza was present in the gallery. He introduced her during her address and shared the story of her abduction and rescue operation authorised by him. He said, “Noa, we’re so thrilled to have you with us today. Thank you.” Noa was abducted on 7th October 2023 by Hamas terrorists. The video of Noa yelling “Don’t kill me” haunted the world. She was rescued by Israeli forces on 8th June 2024, 245 days after the abduction from an Al-Jazeera-affiliated journalist, Abdullah Al-Jamal’s house.
What a moment in Netanyahu's address to Congress as he introduces Noa Argamani, one of the freed hostages from Gaza, whose abduction at the music festival became one of the most enduring symbols of horror from October 7 pic.twitter.com/6XvmPF4fTx
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) July 24, 2024
Netanyahu also honoured Israeli heroes including Lieutenant Avichail Reuven, Master Sergeant Ashraf al Bahiri and Lieutenant Asa Sofer.
מצדיע לחיילים הגיבורים שלנו. בזכותם ננצח. pic.twitter.com/sZJ8m3mve4
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 25, 2024
He addressed the rise of antisemitism and anti-Israel protests and condemned those who supported Hamas. He said, “For all we know, Iran is funding the anti-Israel protests that are going on right now outside this building… When the Tyrants of Tehran… are praising, promoting, and funding you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots.” He criticised the academic institutions for failing to condemn antisemitic rhetoric and emphasised the historical context of such hatred and its far-reaching consequences. He said, “The outrageous slanders that paint Israel as racist and genocidal are meant to delegitimize Israel, to demonize the Jewish State and to demonize Jews everywhere.” PM Netanyahu highlighted that antisemitism is the “world’s oldest hatred” and it has continued to manifest in new and dangerous ways.
PM Benjamin Netanyahu also pointed out the irony of some protest slogans such as “Gays for Gaza” highlighted the severe persecution of the LGBTQ community in regions controlled by Hamas and other Islamic groups. Mocking the slogan, he said, “They might as well hold up signs saying ‘Chickens for KFC,” implying that LGBTQs supporting Hamas are as self-destructive as chickens supporting their slaughter for fried chicken.
Netanyahu: "Some of these protesters hold up signs proclaiming 'Gays for Gaza'. They might as well hold up signs saying 'Chickens for KFC'." pic.twitter.com/rDkcOCb5Z0
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) July 24, 2024
He reassured Israel’s commitment to self-defence and its strategic importance in countering the ambitions of Iran. He said, “When Israel acts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons… we’re not only protecting ourselves. We’re protecting you.”
Calling for a new “Abraham Alliance” inspired by the Abrahan Accords, he urged to unite countries in peace with Israel against common threats. He proposed, “All countries that are in peace with Israel and all those countries who will make peace with Israel should be invited to join this alliance.” He also thanked the former President of the United States and candidate for the upcoming President Elections, Donald Trump, for his leadership in brokering the historic Abraham Accords. He acknowledged the efforts of the former President in recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and supporting the sovereignty of Israel over the Golan Heights.
Towards the end, PM Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope for the future and envisioned a transformed Middle East. He emphasised the potential for peace and prosperity in a post-war Gaza and called for its demilitarisation and deradicalisation. He said, “A new generation of Palestinians must no longer be taught to hate Jews but rather to live in peace with us.” While drawing parallels between the post-WWII reconstruction of Germany and Japan with the possible rejuvenation of Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war, he suggested that similar efforts could lead to lasting peace in the region.
Concluding his speech, Netanyahu expressed hope for the future, envisioning a transformed Middle East and reaffirming the strong alliance between the United States and Israel. He emphasized the potential for peace and prosperity in a post-conflict Gaza, calling for its demilitarization and deradicalization. “A new generation of Palestinians must no longer be taught to hate Jews but rather to live in peace with us,” he stated. He drew parallels to the post-World War II reconstruction of Germany and Japan, suggesting that similar efforts could lead to lasting peace in Gaza.
