Netanyahu delivered a speech to the US Congress – what did the media make of it 

How has Netanyahu’s speech to Congress been interpreted by media? 

Netanyahu’s speech appealed to right-leaning media and lawmakers, with much of the coverage picking up on Netanyahu calling the protesters outside Congress ‘idiots’. Interestingly, Western media, regardless of political leaning has similar coverage with ‘We must stand together” and “Total victory in Gaza” the two most quoted parts of the speech in the headlines. Both sides pick up on the ‘close ties’ between the US and Israel, as highlighted in the speech. 

More left-leaning media offers fact-checks of Netanyahu’s claims in his speech  – especially concerning food aid and safeguarding civilians as well as giving more prominent coverage to the ongoing protests – and more insight into why they are protesting. 

Interestingly, western media doesn’t offer much coverage of the growing Israeli dissatisfaction with Netanyahu – and his speech.

Both sides of Israeli media reflect disappointment among Israelis, yet the left-wing media delves into more specific public reactions and political implications, whereas the centre emphasises the speech’s fleeting political boost.