Netanyahu delivers withering takedown of wealthy white college kids leading anti-Israel protests in powerful Congress address
Netanyahu claims pro-Palestinian protesters are 'idiots' who stand with 'rapists': SIX arrested as Israeli PM addresses deeply divided Congress
By Jon Michael Raasch
Daily Mail
Jul 24, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to a joint meeting of Congress at the Capitol
Benjamin Netanyahu has slammed the wealthy American pro-Palestinian protestors who stand against the nation's fight with terror group Hamas.
The Israeli prime minister, who started and finished his address to Congress on Wednesday with standing ovations, also praised the assistance from the U.S.
However, he didn't hold back when pointing out the contradictions of the anti-Israel rioters who set up physical camps across college campuses in protest of Israel's actions. Many of these protestors have resorted to anti-Semitic tropes and targeted Jewish students.
'Some of these protesters hold up signs proclaiming 'Gays for Gaza', he said to loud applause.
'They might as well hold up signs saying 'Chickens for KFC,' he continued, receiving laughs from the audience.
Six of those same protestors he was condemning were quickly arrested after they managed to sneak their way into the chamber, according to authorities.
The activists revealed bright yellow t-shirts emblazoned with 'Seal the deal now' that had previously been hidden behind zipped jackets and buttoned up dress shirts.
The protests were quiet, however, not halting the Israeli prime minister's speech.
But outside, anti-Israel agitators burned American flags and effigies of Netanyahu in chaotic scenes that prompted cops in riot shields to deploy pepper spray.
The American flag was reportedly taken off of a flag pole outside of D.C.'s Union Station train terminal
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators carry a representation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a protest on the day of Netanyahu's address
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators burn a U.S. flag and an effigy depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday
Netanyahu spoke about the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship during his speech, highlighting how the two's close ties have been instrumental in the Jewish nation's fight against Palestinian terror group Hamas.
'America and Israel must stand together,' Netanyahu proclaimed, receiving a standing ovation in response.
'When we stand together, something very simple happens, we win and they lose.'
The leader has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is eradicated following the October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel by the terrorist who raped women, killed and beheaded children and took hundreds of Israelis hostage, including several Americans.
'They butchered 1,200 people from 41 countries, including 39 Americans,' he said.
'That's like 20 9/11s in one day,' he continued, referencing the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil.
Police officers try to stop pro-Palestinian demonstrators from taking down a U.S. flag outside Union Station
An effigy of Benjamin Netanyahu is burnt outside of D.C.'s Union Station in protest of the prime minister's joint address to Congress Wednesday
Police dressed in riot gear march to confront pro-Gaza protestors at Union Station just blocks from the U.S. Capitol
He also condemned protestors for supporting baby 'murderers,' adding 'they should be ashamed of themselves.'
The Israeli leader called pro-Gaza protestors 'useful idiots' who are being manipulated by leaders in Iran.
'Some of these protesters hold up signs proclaiming 'Gays for Gaza'. They might as well hold up signs saying 'Chickens for KFC,' he said receiving chuckles from the crowd.
Netanyahu introduced rescued hostage Noa Argamani during his address to the joint meeting of Congress.
'Some of these protesters hold up signs proclaiming 'Gays for Gaza', Netanyahu said. 'They might as well hold up signs saying 'Chickens for KFC.'
Meanwhile, outside protestors burned American flags and an effigy of Netanyahu in a display of outrage at D.C.'s Union Station train terminal just blocks away from the Capitol.
Some of the pro-Palestinian activists went as far as displaying Hamas flags and wearing clothing representing the terrorist organization.
The pro-Hamas activists even vandalized a statue outside of the train station, writing a chilling warning onto the historic Columbus Fountain.
'Hamas is coming,' someone wrote on the fountain.
'F*** America,' can also be seen scribbled onto a replica of the Liberty Bell that has been mounted outside of the train station since the 1981.
The protests at Union Station got so out of hand Wednesday afternoon that they led to Amtrak having to delay rides to and from the terminal.
'Due to protest activity, expect delays near Washington Union Station and intermittent closures of entrances/exits,' the train operator posted on X.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., holds a sign as she attends a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a joint meeting of Congress
She would raise her sign higher depending on the subject matter Netanyahu was addressing
Back inside the chamber, one very outspoken pro-Gaza Squad member, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., surprisingly attended the address.
Donning a keffiyeh, she sat expressionless while listening to Netanyahu speak.
Then, in an act of defiance she occasionally held up a sign pointed at the Israeli prime minister that read 'GUILTY OF GENOCIDE.'
While speaking, the prime minister continued to take pro-Gaza protestors head on, referencing how America's elite colleges were the well from where many anti-Israel protests sprung.
'It's not only the campus protesters who get it wrong. It's also the people who run those campuses. 80 years after the Holocaust — 80 years after the Holocaust, the presidents of Harvard, Penn. and I'm ashamed to say, my alma mater MIT, couldn't bring themselves to condemn the calls for the genocide of Jews,' he said.
'The outrageous slanders that paint Israel is racist and genocidal are meant to de-legitimize Israel, to demonize the Jewish state, and to demonize Jews everywhere and no wonder now I wonder we've witnessed in appalling rise of anti-Semitism in America and around the world,' he added.
Netanyahu also appealed to the lawmakers for more supplies to fight Hamas.
'Get us the tools faster and we will finish the job faster,' Netanayhu proclaimed, apparently referencing recent pause in aid to Israel prompted by the Biden administration.
'The day after we defeat Hamas a new Gaza will emerge,' he said pointing to the future.
He said he seeks to de-radicalize and de-militarize the strip and rebuild it so that Palestinians do not grow up to 'hate' Jews.
'Israel does not seek to resettle Gaza,' he reassured the lawmakers.
Netanyahu also thanked former President Donald Trump for brokering the Abraham Accords - a peace deal between Israel and Middle Eastern countries like the United Arab Emirates.
Protestor gets arrested after demonstrating at Union Station
Police clash with pro-Gaza protestors outside of Netanyahu's speech
Officers from the NYPD helped quell protests, some in the cross fire of pepper spray
He also expressed gratitude that Trump survived a recent assassination attempt before condemning political violence.
Close to 100 Democrats are thought to have skipped Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's Capitol speech due to tensions over the ongoing war with the Hamas terror group in Gaza.
Most notable absences include Vice President Kamala Harris, who would have presided over the Senate, but claimed to have a scheduling conflict, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the second most powerful Democratic Senator Dick Durbin D-Ill.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., also boycotted the speech, calling the prime minister a 'war criminal' amid the bloody conflict that has seen loss of life in Gaza.
Her fellow New York Democrat, Rep, Jamaal Bowman, who recently lost his bid for reelection, went as far to say Netanyahu should be arrested.
'Netanyahu should be arrested—not honored in Congress,' he wrote on X ahead of the address. 'Like many of you, I am disgusted.'
Many Democrats in the chamber remained seated as Netanyahu spoke of rescuing hostages still held by Hamas, which include a number of Americans.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) walk together before a meeting at the U.S. Capitol Building
The pair held a brief media availability before the Israeli leader's speech
Mark Pocan, D-Wis., who is also skipped the event, wrote Wednesday he would happily deliver charges to Netanyahu himself.
'I only regret that an arrest warrant for his war crimes has not yet been issued by the ICC, as I would have gladly served it to him on the House floor,' he posted.
Police have estimated that up to 10,000 protestors will be descending upon Capitol Hill Wednesday to call for an end to the 'genocide' in Gaza and demand a ceasefire.
Due to security concerns and a waning number of U.S. Capitol Police officers, over 200 New York City Police Department officers were deployed down to Washington, D.C.
And ahead of the joint address, a group of Republican senators slammed the VP at a press conference for missing the speech, claiming her outstanding obligation alibi is inappropriate.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, called her absence 'disgraceful' and that 'she ought to be embarrassed.'
Police have estimated that up to 10,000 protestors will be descending upon Capitol Hill today
'She doesn't have many jobs as VP,' Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., said at the press event, saying its 'a shame' that Harris decided not to attend.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., was more on the nose, calling her nonattendance 'a slap in the face.'
A Pelosi spokesperson said Wednesday that she would be joining a 'Members meeting with Israeli citizens whose families have suffered in the wake of the October 7th Hamas terror attack and kidnappings.'
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., informed lawmakers that there would be 'an increased police presence around the Capitol complex and in the House Chamber.'
He went on to warn that he will enforcing a 'zero-tolerance policy for disturbances in the building.'
'If any disturbance does occur, the Sergeant at Arms and Capitol Police will remove the offending visitor(s) from the gallery and subject them to arrest,' Johnson said in a letter this week.
It is unclear whether Tlaib will face any repercussions for protesting Netanyahu with her 'genocide' sign.
On Tuesday, over 200 pro-Gaza protestors were arrested in the Cannon House Office Building.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators prepare cardboard coffins a for a protest before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress
There are plans for thousands more to march along the National Mall to the Capitol today before Netanyahu's 2 p.m. ET address
A group of Pro-Palestinian activists held a noise demonstration outside the Watergate Hotel i
Protest signage against Benjamin Netanyahu is seen near the Capitol
Stages and audio equipment were set up for pro-Gaza speeches and demonstrations hours before Netanyahu's speech.
And dozens of premade signs denouncing the prime minister and Israel meant to be picked up by attendees were stationed at the main protest area ready for pick-up.
As the crowd began to grow before the prime minister's speech rally attendees blocks from the Capitol began chanting 'from the river to the sea' and 'there is only one solution, intifada revolution,' two common anti-Israel refrains.
Videos on social media even show protestors stationed outside of the local hotel were Netanyahu is staying, meaning the demonstrations against him as have been nearly constant all of Wednesday.
Some of these activists were even able to infiltrate the Watergate Hotel were the Israeli leader was staying.
They released maggots and insects where Netanyahu and his team were set to meet, forcing a disgusting disturbance.
A demonstrator carries a sign in front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday
Thousands gathered ahead of the speech to demonstrate against the Israeli leader
The prime minister is expected to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris separately on Thursday.
He
will also be traveling down to Mar-a-Lago to have a sit down with
former President Donald Trump on Friday, the GOP nominee for
president.
2 comments:
I really liked it when Bibi described the pro-Hamas demonstrators as "useful idiots" working on behalf of Iran.
"Chickens for KFC." I won't forget that one. (USA)
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