Benjamin Netanyahu’s US Congress Speech on Gaza Conflict -

Review our fact check of Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the US Congress on the Gaza conflict. Explore the accuracy of his statements and political reactions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a high-profile speech to the US Congress on July 23, 2024, aimed at rallying support for Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. The address was marked by a mix of fervent support from Republican lawmakers and significant protests both inside and outside the Capitol. This fact check examines the accuracy of Netanyahu’s claims and the broader implications of his statements.

At the outset of his speech, Netanyahu declared, “When we fight Iran, we’re fighting the most radical and murderous enemy of the United States of America.” He framed the Gaza conflict as not just an Israeli struggle but a shared battle between the US and Israel, stating, “Our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory.”

The address, Netanyahu’s fourth before a joint session of Congress, was met with enthusiastic applause from many Republicans. However, it highlighted growing divisions within US politics. Notably, a significant number of Democratic lawmakers chose to absent themselves from the speech, reflecting the contentious nature of US support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. Outside the Capitol, thousands of protesters rallied, with some holding signs declaring Netanyahu a “wanted war criminal,” referencing an arrest warrant sought by the International Criminal Court.

Inside the Capitol, five individuals were arrested for attempting to disrupt the speech. Netanyahu addressed the protestors, labeling them as “Iran’s useful idiots,” and used the opportunity to criticize Iran’s influence in the region. He depicted an “axis of terror” as a common threat to the US, Israel, and the Arab world, framing the conflict as a battle between civilization and barbarism.

The Prime Minister’s speech extensively referenced Iran, aligning its actions with what he described as a threat to global stability. Netanyahu claimed that Iranian proxy forces had attacked American targets and argued that Iran aims to “first conquer the Middle East” before challenging the US. He positioned Israel as a staunch ally of the US, standing firm against Iranian aggression.

A major component of Netanyahu’s address was his appeal for increased US military aid. He expressed gratitude for the “generous military assistance” provided by the US over the decades and called for a “fast-tracking” of military aid to expedite the end of the Gaza conflict and prevent a broader regional war. Quoting Winston Churchill, Netanyahu urged, “Give us the tools and we’ll finish the job.”

The speech did not delve deeply into the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, except for Netanyahu’s claim that Israel provides sufficient food aid, attributing any shortages to Hamas’s alleged misappropriation. He outlined a vision for a “demilitarised and deradicalised” Gaza under Israeli control, with a civilian administration run by Palestinians who do not seek Israel’s destruction. Notably absent was any mention of a two-state solution, a concept supported by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The political response to Netanyahu’s speech was polarized. Many Democrats, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Harris, were absent from the address, reflecting the contentious debate over US support for Israel. Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American member of Congress, was seen holding a placard reading “guilty of genocide” and “war criminal.”

In Israel, Netanyahu’s speech was met with a somber protest from families of hostages held in Gaza. The address was broadcast in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where the crowd watched in silence, reflecting growing despair over the ongoing hostage situation. Shortly after the speech, the Israeli military announced the retrieval of the bodies of two hostages, highlighting the ongoing human cost of the conflict.

Netanyahu’s address came nine months into Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in significant casualties. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 39,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, following an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages.

This fact check provides an in-depth look at Netanyahu’s statements and their implications for US-Israel relations and the Gaza conflict. For further updates and detailed analyses, continue following our news coverage.