WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 24: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol on July 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Washington, D.C. — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a stirring speech before a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, calling for unity and a steadfast alliance to combat mutual threats. Netanyahu’s address came as Israel endures a brutal conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which began on October 7 when Hamas militants invaded Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties.
Netanyahu emphasized the critical nature of the U.S.-Israel relationship and the ongoing threat posed by Iran, which he described as the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism. “Our world is in upheaval,” Netanyahu declared. “In the Middle East, Iran’s axis of terror confronts America, Israel, and our Arab friends. This is not a clash of civilizations. It’s a clash between barbarism and civilization. It’s 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.”
The Prime Minister’s speech was described by Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, as “Churchillian in its rhetoric” and noted for its bipartisan appeal. “He thanked President Biden, he thanked former President Trump, and that was very important for him to do,” Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “At the end of the day, the speech was about fighting to preserve and strengthen U.S. interests and Israeli interests.”
Netanyahu’s address highlighted the decades-long U.S.-Israeli relationship and the importance of maintaining strong ties amidst growing chaos in the Middle East. He condemned the actions of Hamas and other terrorist groups in the region, underscoring that these organizations are supported and funded by Iran. He urged Congress to recognize the persistent threat posed by Tehran and to unite Western efforts in containing its hostilities.
During his remarks, Netanyahu expressed gratitude for U.S. support in the ongoing conflict with Hamas and praised both President Biden and former President Trump for their leadership roles in Middle Eastern security. Addressing the issue of hostages in Gaza, which includes over 100 individuals, among them five Americans, Netanyahu vowed that Israel would not relent until all hostages were freed. “Israel will fight until we destroy Hamas’ military capabilities and its role in Gaza and bring all our hostages home. That’s what total victory means. And we will settle for nothing less,” he asserted.
Netanyahu also criticized the pro-Palestinian protests that have erupted across the nation since the conflict began, some of which have escalated into violent or antisemitic demonstrations. In response to the pro-Palestinian protests in Washington, D.C., on the day of his address, some of which involved physical confrontations with law enforcement, Netanyahu condemned the protesters as ignorant. Victoria Coates, senior defense executive at the Heritage Foundation and former White House national security advisor, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Mobs of genocidal antisemites spewing hatred on the streets of America’s capital today. This is not just an Israeli issue. It’s an American issue.”
Netanyahu concluded his speech with a powerful message: “For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together. Because when we stand together, something very simple happens: We win, they lose.”