Netanyahu calls out Democratic critics and protesters in speech to Congress, lays out Hamas threats

WASHINGTON – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint meeting of Congress as his nation continues to battle Hamas in Gaza, laying out the ongoing threats in the region and criticizing his Democratic critics in Washington and pro-Palestinian protesters across the U.S.

The Israeli leader told Americans lawmakers "My friends, I came to assure you today of one thing: We will win." But he added that, in the face of ongoing clashes with Hamas and conflict with Iran and Iranian-backed groups, "For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together"

Netanyahu also hit back at his Democratic critics in Congress and at protests that have broken out across the country over Israel's handling of the conflict. He had especially harsh words for demonstrators, calling some of them "Iran's useful idiots" and accusing them of standing "with evil." He also made one of his most divisive remarks when he said those who support pro-Palestinian protestors "should be ashamed of themselves."

The vast majority of Democrats held back any applause in response and notably, the top three House Democrats, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass. and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., stayed seated.

Netanyahu heaped praise on President Joe Biden for continuing to support Israel and thanked him for U.S. support in shooting down an Iranian drone attack earlier this year. At the same time though, he made remarks clearly aimed at the Biden administration for some of its policy towards Israel, including the withholding of heavy bombs: "Give us the tools faster and we'll finish the job faster."

Netanyahu's overall welcome in the halls of Congress may not have been as warm as he might have liked either. Scores of Democratic lawmakers skipped his address in protest of Netanyahu’s leadership in the war, which has left almost 40,000 residents of Gaza. And the Democrats who didn't attend Netanyahu's address stretched beyond the progressive lawmakers who have been the Israeli leader's most vocal critics in Congress.

The mood was tense. Netanyahu entered the chamber to roaring applause from Republicans but was met with hardly any enthusiasm from Democrats. As he stepped down the aisle shaking hands with lawmakers, he walked by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who has called for new elections to replace Netanyahu. Schumer is the highest ranking Jewish elected official in the U.S.

A number of guests to Netanyahu's speech wore bright yellow shirts under jackets that read "Seal the deal NOW" in reference to a cease-fire deal in Gaza that would see Israeli hostages released. Periodically throughout the speech, they stood up to reveal their shirts until they were removed from the chamber and arrested.

The Israel-Hamas War began last October, when Hamas militants killed more than 1,000 Israelis and captured around 250 hostages. Israel retaliated with a bombing campaign that has bombarded cities, forced more than 85% of the population in Gaza to be displaced and caused starvation among hundreds of thousands of civilians.

And as Netanyahu spoke, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the only Palestinian American in Congress and one of Israel's most vocal critics, held up a sign during standing ovations that read "WAR CRIMINAL" on one side and "GUILTY OF GENOCIDE" on the other. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., who was seated next to Tlaib, moved away from her when she started to display the signs.

At one point, conservative hardliner, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., moved to sit next to Tlaib and had a whispered conversation with her. Luna declined to say what the two spoke about but described their conversation as cordial and expressed appreciation for Tlaib for putting down the sign during Netanyahu's remarks.

Ohio Democrat Rep. Greg Landsman told USA TODAY he "went over to deescalate if need be" but "they were talking through their issues calmly, so I went and sat back down."

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told USA TODAY that he thought much of the speech was “mindless war sloganeering” and “clear pro-Trump messaging.”

“It was surprising, but still incredibly sad," Murphy added. "That was a big setback for the U.S.-Israel relationship.”

Still, several Democrats on Wednesday appreciated the Israeli leader's remarks. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., a Jewish lawmaker, described Netanyahu's remarks as a "good speech."

"Did I agree with everything he said? No. But no one who has spoken on this floor have I agreed with everything they said," Schneider said, adding he would have liked to hear Netanyahu speak more to a future that provides "security for Israel, security for the Palestinians and ultimately, peace and security in the region."

Even for the Democrats who were in attendance, many quickly exited the chamber as soon as Netanyahu concluded his speech.

Several prominent Democrats announced ahead of the speech that they wouldn't be in attendance. While the chamber appeared to be full during his address, several GOP lawmakers were scattered throughout the Democratic side of the aisle. Roughly half of all congressional Democrats were not in attendance.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., instead met with Israeli citizens whose families were victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the No. 2 ranking Senate Democrat, called Israel’s conduct in Gaza a “brutal strategy beyond any acceptable level of self-defense.”

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Senate President Pro Tempore, skipped the speech and handed off the job of presiding over the event to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md.

“I hope Prime Minister Netanyahu will use the opportunity to address how he plans to secure a ceasefire—and lasting peace in the region,” Murray said in a statement to USA TODAY.

There were some surprising attendees at the speech beyond lawmakers and other honored guests, such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk. He attended as a guest of the Israeli leader.

Highlighting the sensitivity of Netanyahu’s address, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., sent a letter to lawmakers warning there will be a “zero-tolerance policy” for any disturbances during the speech. If any of their guests interrupt the proceedings, the letter says they will be removed from the House chamber and “subject to arrest.”

The chairs of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Intelligence Committee and Armed Services Committee, all Democrats, sent their own letter to Biden ahead of the speech urging the president and negotiators to quickly secure a ceasefire deal that would end the war and release the hostages.

“We are under no illusion that this will be easy and we fully understand that diplomacy requires compromise,” Cardin, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., wrote.

“But the pre-October 7 status quo is not sustainable. In order for the region to chart a new path forward, one that chooses cooperation and partnership over endless conflict, hope must follow the darkness of October 7 and recent months,” the letter read.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Netanyahu calls out Dem critics and protesters in speech to Congress