Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the United States to support Israel in a speech to Congress on Wednesday, promising to do “whatever it must” to defeat Hamas and free the remaining hostages from Gaza. Even if hundreds of Democratic members boycotted the address due to humanitarian concerns or in protest of his leadership, Netanyahu was met with widespread acclaim in the House chamber in the U.S. Capitol. As the war in Gaza approaches the 10-month mark, he called on Congress to expedite further military assistance.
“When we stand together, something very simple happens: We win, they lose,” Netanyahu said. “And my friends, I came to assure you today of one thing: We will win.”
Netanyahu’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza has drawn criticism from a wide range of quarters, including proponents worried about the number of civilian deaths and fellow Israelis calling for an urgent agreement to return the remaining hostages. While many countries seek to isolate Israel on the international scene, he spoke defiantly while working to bolster political support from the country’s most significant partner. Crowds protesting the war gathered around Washington during his speech. Netanyahu’s determination that Hamas must be totally annihilated in Gaza is summed up by the words “Total Victory” that were printed on a baseball cap he wore on his journey to Washington on Monday.
