Israel’s Netanyahu gives fiery defence of Gaza war in speech to US Congress
- The Israeli PM called for the US to fast track more weapons to his country, as police use pepper spray on protesters outside the Capitol
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a fiery defence of his nation’s war against Hamas in a speech to the US Congress, inserting himself into a supercharged moment in American politics and mocking thousands of demonstrators outside protesting his handling of the conflict in Gaza.
The Israeli leader urged the US to fast track military aid and dismissed concerns about the war’s mounting civilian death toll, saying his troops should be commended for their actions.
He framed his nation’s fight against Hamas as a battle against its backer Iran, which he said wants to destroy the US as well.
“Israel fights on the front line of civilisation,” Netanyahu told the joint meeting at the Capitol. “Give us the tools faster, and we’ll finish the job faster.”
The speech, which was boycotted by dozens of Democratic lawmakers, made no direct reference to a ceasefire proposal put forward by President Joe Biden but stuck to his past insistence that the war won’t end until Hamas is destroyed.
