Key points of Netanyahu’s US Congress speech
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has addressed the US Congress for the fourth time. Here are the key quotes from his historic speech.
Netanyahu praises allies in the US
“Through thick and thin, in good times and in bad, Israel will always be your loyal friend and your steadfast partner. On behalf of the people of Israel, I came here today to say thank you, America,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu takes aim at protesters
“Many choose to stand with evil. They stand with Hamas. They stand with rapists and murderers,” Netanyahu said. “These protesters stand with them. They should be ashamed of themselves.”
“When the tyrants of Tehran who hang gays from cranes and murder women for not covering their hair are praising, promoting and funding you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots,” Netanyahu said to the protesters.
A swipe at the International Criminal Court
In May, Prosecutor Karim Khan of the International Criminal Court (ICC) called for arrest warrants to be issued for Netanyahu and his allies, accusing them of “war crimes and crimes against humanity” for their actions in Gaza.
The prime minister defended the war as necessary for Israel’s security. He also warned that the court could take aim at the US if Khan’s arrests are allowed to proceed.
“If Israel’s hands are tied, America is next. I’ll tell you what else is next: the ability of all democracies to fight terrorism will be imperiled,” Netanyahu said.
“The hands of the Jewish state will never be shackled,” he added. “Israel will always defend itself.”
Netanyahu lays out post-war vision
As the war in Gaza rounds out its ninth month, with more than 39,000 Palestinians killed, the pressure is nevertheless rising for Netanyahu to end the conflict.
“This is not a clash of civilisations. It’s a clash between barbarism and civilisation,” Netanyahu told Congress.
“It’s a clash between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life. For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together. Because when we stand together, something very simple happens: We win, they lose.”
Netanyahu also called for the defeat of Hamas as a precondition for peace, saying he would settle for “total victory” and nothing less.
What would a post war Gaza look like?
His vision involves Israeli forces maintaining control over Gaza.
“The day after we defeat Hamas, a new Gaza could emerge,” Netanyahu said.
“My vision for that day is of a demilitarised and deradicalised Gaza. Israel does not seek to resettle Gaza. But for the foreseeable future, we must retain overriding security control there to prevent the resurgence of terror, to ensure Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”
“A new generation of Palestinians must no longer be taught to hate Jews but rather to live in peace with us,” he added.
To achieve this Netanyahu called on more US military aid – and for it to be delivered more rapidly. The US already sends Israel $3.8bn a year in military aid, and in April, President Biden signed an aid package that would provide up to $17bn in additional support.