American Lawmakers React to Israeli Prime Minister's Speech; Hill: Almost Everyone Cheered Netanyahu Standing

American lawmakers reacted to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech before the United States Congress. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called Netanyahu's speech 'heroic in every respect' and said it would be regarded as a 'historic speech.' He stated that Netanyahu 'not only reminded us that Israel's enemies are America's enemies, but also provided a vision for regional integration that could end the Arab-Israeli conflict based on the Abraham Accords.' The 'Abraham Accords' is an agreement under which Israel established diplomatic relations with several Arab countries in the Middle East, including its two neighbors Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, in 2020. In his statement, Graham also said, 'The long-term defeat of Hamas and marginalizing Iran is the result of regional unification; where Arabs and Israelis move towards the light and leave Iran in darkness until their officials change.' He added, 'I am proud to call the Prime Minister my friend.' Additionally, see: Netanyahu in the U.S. Congress: Israel is fighting for America's interests against the Islamic Republic. The Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Republican Michael McCaul, described Netanyahu's speech as 'extraordinary' and stated, 'Israel - one of our most important allies - is threatened every day by Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran.' He said, 'We must stand shoulder to shoulder with them, as they strive to eradicate terrorist threats.' Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib held up a sign reading: 'Criminal for Genocide' while Netanyahu was speaking in the joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate Minority Leader, also issued a statement supporting Netanyahu, saying, 'The American people can take pride in the resilience of our friends in the fight against Iran-backed terrorism.' He stated, 'But Israel's battle is America's battle too. Like our friends on the front lines of Russian and Chinese aggressions, Israel's stand against the world's most active state sponsor of terrorism deserves maximum American support.' McConnell's reference is to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Republican Senator Ted Cruz also called Israel one of America's most important allies, stating that Israel is fighting for its existence in a war that the Islamic Republic 'Iran and Iran-controlled terrorists across the Middle East' have waged against Israel. However, independent Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont issued a statement criticizing Netanyahu, calling his presence in Congress a 'propaganda stunt' in line with election campaigns in Israel. He labeled Netanyahu a 'liar' and said that all humanitarian organizations confirm that tens of thousands of children are facing starvation because Netanyahu's extremist government continues to block aid. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, called Netanyahu's speech 'by far the worst speech among foreign officials who have the privilege and honor of speaking in the U.S. Congress and have been invited to do so.' The current representative from California in the House of Representatives stated, 'Many of us who love Israel spent our time today listening to Israeli citizens whose families have suffered in the wake of Hamas's terrorist attack and kidnapping on October 7.' Pelosi added, 'These families are calling for a ceasefire agreement that brings the hostages home, and we hope the Prime Minister will spend his time achieving this goal.' Despite the protests from some Democrats against Netanyahu's speech, The Hill, which covers congressional news, reported that almost all attendees, with a few exceptions, stood to cheer Netanyahu as he entered the House of Representatives, and many Republicans approached Netanyahu afterward to shake hands and take photos. During Netanyahu's speech, several Palestinian supporters protested outside the Capitol building. Netanyahu referred to those protesters in his speech, saying he had a message for them. According to Reuters, he used a Cold War-era term regarding individuals who were exploited for political purposes, saying, 'When the tyrants in Tehran who hang homosexuals from cranes and kill women for not covering their hair praise you, promote you, and fund you, you have officially become Iran's useful idiots.' Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House, had initially invited the Israeli leader to speak about the situation in the Gaza war. Then three other senior congressional officials, including two Democrats, joined him and asked Netanyahu to update lawmakers on the status of the war. It was previously reported that some congressional Democrats were boycotting Netanyahu's speech in protest of Israel's actions during the Gaza war. The ongoing war in Gaza began after Hamas's terrorist attack on southern Israel on October 7. Hamas is supported militarily and financially by the Islamic Republic. Netanyahu's remarks in the U.S. Congress; he stated that the Iranian government is involved in all forms of terrorism in the Middle East. Opponents of the Gaza war gathered in front of the U.S. Congress simultaneously with Netanyahu's speech in Congress. The FBI Director explained to Congress about threats against Trump and threats from the Islamic Republic. The Capitol police clashed with Palestinian supporters who crossed the security barrier.