Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened his speech to Congress by declaring that US support for his nation’s war with Hamas terrorists ultimately “a clash between barbarism and civilizations.”
Netanyahu entered the chamber a little after 2 p.m. and thanked senior congressional leaders “for giving me the profound honor for addressing this great citadel of democracy for the fourth time” and President Biden for his “heartfelt support” of Israel.
“Today we are at a crossroads of history,” the Israeli leader began, “our world is in upheaval.”
“This is not a clash of civilizations; it’s a clash between barbarism and civilizations,” he said, “between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life.”
“America and Israel must stand together,” he declared. “Because when we stand together something very simple happens: we win, they lose.”
“October 7 is a day that will forever live in infamy,” he said, echoing the words of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt in likening the Pearl Harbor attack to Hamas’ invasion of the Jewish state.
More than 1,200 were killed and more than 240 were taken hostage, most of whom were Israeli civilians.
Fewer than 120 remain in captivity in Gaza, as the Biden administration discusses a potential cease-fire deal and release of the hostages.
One side of the chamber was less populated than the other due to several Democrats’ boycott of the Israeli PM’s address.
But Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), one of the strongest pro-Israel Democrats in Congress, shed his signature hoodie, donning a smart navy suit with a blue pastel tie for the occasion.
“Squad” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) was one of those who declined to attend, but Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) sat in on the session with a black and white checkered keffiyeh wrapped around her neck.
Both have accused Netanyahu of perpetrating “war crimes” in the Gaza Strip, as thousands of Palestinian civilians have also been killed amid the Israel Defense Forces war with Hamas terrorists.
Other high-profile guests in the gallery included Tesla CEO Elon Musk
Vice President Kamala Harris, who would ordinarily sit in on the joint meeting of Congress, departed for a previously scheduled event with one of the “Divine Nine” historically black colleges in Indianapolis.
Both she and President Biden will meet Netanyahu separately at the White House on Thursday.
Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-Wash.) also rejected an invitation, leaving Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-Md.) with the responsibility to sit alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in a place of prominence.
Johnson told The Post in an interview on the eve of Bibi’s visit to expect a message on “the importance of America’s resolve and our support” amid the Biden administration’s “second-guessing” of the Israeli government’s war effort.
“Israel is in a war for its very survival,” the House speaker said. “It’s arguably the most desperate time for Israel since they became a nation-state again.”
The Louisiana Republican expressly requested the prime minister to address US lawmakers, engaging in a months-long pressure campaign to get Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to co-sign a letter of invitation.
Schumer in March called for a “new election” in Israel to replace Netanyahu — and the two merely nodded at one another without shaking hands as the Israeli leader entered the chamber.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) also signed onto the letter.
