Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress, pledging to achieve “total victory” against Hamas and criticized American opponents of the Gaza war as “idiots,” AP News reports.
Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions in Gaza and emphasized the need for a decisive victory over Hamas and other Iran-backed groups, asserting that Israel would not settle for anything less. He highlighted that the US and Israel share a common interest, suggesting that unity between the two nations is essential for victory. He dismissed the protesters as “useful idiots” and accused them of supporting militants responsible for atrocities.
The speech highlighted the deepening political divide over Israel in the US Congress as more than 60 Democrats chose to boycott the speech, and thousands of protesters gathered outside the Capitol, condemning the war and the resulting humanitarian crisis.
Netanyahu’s speech did not acknowledge ongoing US-led efforts for a cease-fire or hostage release, focusing instead on Israel’s military objectives. Families of American hostages held in Gaza expressed profound disappointment, stating that Netanyahu failed to commit to a proposed hostage deal.
