On Wednesday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a defiant address to a joint session of Congress, defending his country’s actions in Gaza and urging lawmakers to continue the United States’s longstanding support of Israel.
“If you remember one thing from this speech, remember this: Our enemies are your enemies. Our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory!” Netanyahu said to applause.
But though the prime minister spoke of unity between the two nations, his presence in Washington, D.C., was notably divisive, prompting thousands of protesters to march through the streets of the capital, as well as boycotts of Netanyahu’s speech, mostly by Democratic lawmakers.
Representative Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American member in the House, attended the speech after criticizing congressional leadership’s decision to invite him to speak. Tlaib remained seated through the entirety of Netanyahu’s address as her colleagues frequently stood and applauded his words. At times, she was seen holding up a small black sign with white lettering that read “GUILTY OF GENOCIDE” on one side and “WAR CRIMINAL” on the other.
Rashida Tlaib holds 'War Criminal' sign as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Congress. pic.twitter.com/q2GZTd4Ucf
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 24, 2024
Tlaib’s action prompted reactions from her colleagues and a talk from a House floor manager, according to Punchbowl News:
GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna just walked across the chamber to sit next to Tlaib and appears to be confronting her.
— Max Cohen (@maxpcohen) July 24, 2024
Dem Rep Jake Auchincloss, who was sitting next to Tlaib, just walked up and moved to a different area
House Speaker Mike Johnson had warned members ahead of Netanyahu’s planned appearance that any potential disruption during his speech could result in arrest by the sergeant of arms. In the end, the only protests were silent. Three people in the House gallery wearing shirts that read “Seal The Deal Now” — referring to a possible deal to release the hostages currently being held by Hamas — were removed from the chamber by U.S. Capitol Police. According to reports, they are family members of some of the hostages.
Axios reports that nearly half of congressional Democrats declined to attend the speech, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Some who did attend made sure to make their opposition to Netanyahu known. New York representative Jerry Nadler called the speech a “cynical stunt” in a statement. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has called for Netanyahu to be replaced, did not applaud when the prime minister entered the House chamber, and the two men did not shake hands when they crossed paths.
