Netanyahu Addresses Congress, Defends Gaza Campaign

In Washington yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a robust defense of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, responding angrily to criticism of its conduct, which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians. “We’re not only protecting ourselves,” Netanyahu declared in his hourlong address, “we’re protecting you.”

Netanyahu framed the war as part of a broader conflict between Iran and the U.S. but did not comment on the ongoing cease-fire talks with Hamas. Here are six takeaways from the speech.

The war has significantly eroded the longstanding bipartisan consensus in Congress to support Israel. Dozens of Democratic members boycotted the speech, and the standing ovations Netanyahu received were largely from Republicans, while Democrats mostly refrained from applause.

Outside the Capitol, more than 5,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered, many wearing Palestinian kaffiyehs, chanting for the U.S. to stop arming Israel and labeling Netanyahu a “war criminal” and the “prime minister of genocide.”

In related news, Britain’s new government is likely to withdraw its objections to the International Criminal Court prosecutor’s pursuit of a warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest, signaling a shift away from the stance of the U.S., its closest ally.