KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called pro-Palestine protestors in the US “Iran’s useful idiots” during his address.
- Protests occurred outside the US House as Netanyahu alleged Iran might be funding these demonstrations.
- Netanyahu condemned Iran, accusing it of promoting protestors and labeling them supporters of Tehran’s oppressive regime.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the US House of Representatives on Wednesday and talked about the pro-Palestine protestors in the US ‘Iran’s useful idiots.’ Amid the address by the 74-year-old, there were protests ongoing outside the Capitol Hill and Netanyahu also took a jibe at them, alleging that Iran is funding such protests.
“For all we know, Iran is funding the protests outside this building,” Netanyahu said. “I have a message for them: When the tyrants of Tehran who hang gays from cranes are promoting you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots.”
Before the Israel PM’s speech, thousands of protestors marched towards the US Capitol to demand a ceasefire in Gaza as well as against the House giving Netanyahu a space to speak at the House. Per videos of the protests circulating online, thousands came onto the streets with Palestinian flags, chanting slogans and raising signs. French news outlet Le Monde reported that there were also small clashes between protestors and law enforcement. Some of the protestors were also pepper sprayed and could be seen in the videos washing their eyes.
Netanyahu’s speech at the Congress was strikingly bi-partisan. With President Biden – someone Netanyahu said he “knows for over 40 years,” stepping down from the race, he made sure to make a case with both the Democratic and the Republican lawmakers in the Congress.
He thanked Biden for the aid his administration has provided in Israel’s war with Gaza. He also thanked former president Donald Trump for “all the things he did for Israel.”
“I want to thank President Biden for his tireless efforts on behalf of the hostages and for his efforts to the hostages’ families as well,” he said. “I thank President Biden for his heartfelt support for Israel after the savage attack on October 7.
“He rightly called Hamas ‘sheer evil’. He dispatched two aircraft carriers to the Middle East to deter a wider war. And he came to Israel to stand with us during our darkest hour, a visit that will never be forgotten.”
“I also want to thank President Trump for all the things he did for Israel, from recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, to confronting Iran’s aggression, to recognizing Jerusalem as our capital and moving the American embassy there,” he added. “That’s Jerusalem, our eternal capital, never to be divided again.”
