In fiery speech to U.S. Congress, Netanyahu calls protesters against Gaza war 'useful idiots' for Iran
Police in D.C. pepper spray protesters outside Israeli PM's address to Congress
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel's war in Gaza and condemned American protesters in a scathing speech to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday that triggered boycotts by many top Democratic lawmakers and drew thousands to the Capitol to condemn the war and the humanitarian crisis it has created.
Netanyahu vowed to press on with the war until "total victory," disappointing hopes by some that the Israeli leader's visit to the United States could bring some breakthrough in negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release.
Speaking to applause from U.S. lawmakers and stony silence from others, Netanyahu sought to bolster U.S. support for his country's fight against Hamas and other Iran-backed armed groups.
"America and Israel must stand together. When we stand together, something really simple happens: We win, they lose," said Netanyahu, who wore a yellow pin expressing solidarity with the Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
But the Israeli leader soon pivoted to a darker tone as he derided those protesting the war on college campuses and elsewhere in the U.S., gesturing to demonstrations happening on the streets outside the Capitol. He called protesters "useful idiots" for Israel's adversaries.
He drew shouts of applause from many in Congress but also silence from leading Democrats who declined to stand and cheer.
Freed former hostages of Hamas and families of hostages listened in the House chamber. Lawmakers of both parties rose to applaud the Israeli leader in milder moments in the speech. Security escorted out protesters in the gallery who rose to display T-shirts with slogans demanding that leaders close a deal ending the conflict and freeing hostages.
Netanyahu accused the numerous American protesters of the war of standing with the militants, who he said killed babies on Oct. 7: "These protesters that stand with them, they should be ashamed of themselves," he said.
The Israeli prime minister — who is frequently accused of wading into U.S. politics in favour of conservative and Republican causes — started his remarks with praise of President Joe Biden. But he turned to lavishing praise for former president and current Republican presidential contender Donald Trump "for all he's done for Israel."
With criticism against him rising in Israel, too, Netanyahu is aiming to portray himself as a statesman respected by Israel's most important ally.That task is complicated by Americans' increasingly divided views on Israel and the war, which has emerged as a key issue in the U.S. presidential election.
Netanyahu received a warm welcome from House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican lawmakers who arranged his speech in the House chamber. Netanyahu received a bipartisan standing ovation before speaking.
With his appearance, Netanyahu became the first foreign leader to address a joint meeting of Congress four times, surpassing Winston Churchill.
More than 50 Democrats and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders boycotted Netanyahu's speech. The most notable absence was right behind him: Vice-President Kamala Harris, who serves as president of the Senate, said a long-scheduled trip kept her from attending.
The next Democrat in line, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, declined to attend, so Sen. Ben Cardin, the chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, served as "senator pro tempore" in place of her.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat who has family in the West Bank, sat in the House chamber with a keffiyeh, which she often wears, wrapped over her shoulders. Tlaib was censured last year for her strident criticism of Israel's conduct in the war.
Republicans said the absence of Harris, the new Democratic front-runner for the presidency, was a sign of disloyalty to an ally. Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance, was also a no-show for Netanyahu's speech, citing the need to campaign.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Biden and Harris on Thursday, and with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Friday.
'He is a war criminal'
Outside the Capitol building, thousands demonstrated to protest the killings of more than 39,000 Palestinians in the war.
Others condemned Netanyahu's inability to free Israeli and American hostages taken by Hamas and other militants during the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war.
U.S. Capitol Police said officers deployed pepper spray on some anti-war protesters, saying some members of the crowd had become "violent" and had "failed to obey" orders to move back from the police line.
"We are deploying pepper spray toward anyone trying to break the law and cross that line," Capitol Police said.
Hours before that, protesters gathered near the Capitol to condemn Netanyahu's visit and the war in Gaza. Protesters who spoke with CBC News included those who said they travelled from Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, California and Upstate New York to denounce the war.
Abdellatif Zrouri, originally from Morocco, flew from Miami with his family on Monday to attend the demonstration and set an example for his two young sons "to be on the right side" of history and "do the right thing."
"What's going on now in Gaza is not acceptable in any shape or form, and we cannot just stand [for it]. I'm trying to educate my kids that any human, anywhere, any religion, any kind of people, has to be free and this is the time for Palestinians to have their own country," Zrouri told CBC News, holding his toddler.
"My kids, my family, me are not more important than the people of Gaza."
Waving the Palestinian flag and bloodied effigies of the Israeli prime minister, crowds cheered as speakers on stage called for an end to the conflict.
"Palestine will be free," they chanted. "Ceasefire now. Free free Palestine."
Bill Mims, 78, drove from Virginia in support of a Palestinian friend in the West Bank.
"How long have you got?" he continued, asked about Netanyahu. "He is a war criminal.... I think it's tragic that some politicians in the U.S. feel that it's OK to invite him to come here. To me, he's not welcome here and it's a real tragedy that he's addressing Congress."
The Health Ministry in Gaza says over 39,100 Palestinians have been killed in the war, with its total not distinguishing between fighters and civilians. The attacks led by Hamas on Oct. 7 resulted in about 250 people being taken hostage and about 1,200 killed, according to Israeli government tallies.
It is believed by the Israeli government that 116 hostages have yet to be repatriated, though about one-third have so far been pronounced dead in absentia. Several hostages unaccounted for are American citizens.
After the address, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Biden and Harris, separately, on Thursday, and plans to do so with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, on Friday.
With files from CBC's Rhianna Schmunk and Caroline Barghout