Many MPs boycott the address of the Israeli PM in the US Parliament

Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the US Parliament on Wednesday. His speech was boycotted by some top lawmakers. Meanwhile, thousands of people protested and marched towards the country’s capital Washington. Police used pepper spray to stop them.

During his address, Netanyahu defended the ongoing war in Gaza and condemned the US protesters. He vowed to continue the nine-month-long war until ‘complete victory’. He requested to increase the aid being given by the US in the war against Hamas.

‘ We should stand with each other ‘
The Israeli PM said, ‘America and Israel should stand with each other. When we stand together, something really big happens: we win, they lose.’

Netanyahu pointed to street protests near the US capital, calling them “benefiting” Israel’s opponents.

More than 50 MPs protested
More than 50 MPs of the Democratic Party and independent MP Bernie Sanders boycotted Netanyahu’s address. During this, everyone’s eyes were on the absence of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the chairman of the upper house of the Parliament, the Senate. It is said that she did not appear in the House due to a pre-scheduled program.

Democratic Party MP Rashida Tlaib from Michigan also boycotted the address. Tlaib’s family lives in the West Bank adjacent to Israel. Tlaib, sitting in the House chamber, was holding a placard in her hand, on which was written ‘War Criminal’.

Republican Party’s vice-presidential candidate JD Vance was also absent during Netanyahu’s address, citing his busy schedule in election campaigning.

Netanyahu targeted the protesters
Netanyahu pointed to the demonstrations on the streets of the capital and described them as ‘benefiting’ Israel’s opponents. He accused many protesters in the US of standing with terrorists who, according to Netanyahu, killed children during the Hamas attack on October 7.

Netanyahu has made this record,
surpassing former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, to become the first foreign leader to address a joint session of both houses of Parliament four times.