1. Protests within and outside ofCongresserupt surrounding Netanyahu’s address to Congress
On Tuesday,March 3, Prime Minister Netanyahu argued against Iran’snuclear programbefore a joint
session of Congress.The speech was opposed by Arabs, Israelis, and Democrats alike,but welcomed by
members of the Republican party such as Sen. John McCain and Speakerof the House John Boehner.
Both protesters and supporters alike convened on Capitol Hill and citiesnationwide to voice their
opinions on this historic address.
WASHINGTON - The speech begun officially at 11 AM as Prime Minister Netanyahu prepared to speak
before the meeting.
“I know that my speech has been the subject of much controversy,” he stated. “I deeply regret
that some perceive my being here as political. That was never my intention.”
Throughout his address,he recalled Israeli history, thanked America for its unwavering support,
and, more often, questioned Iran’s intentions with a nuclear program by accusing Iran’s Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Khamenei of anti-Semitism by way of violent tweets.
He also claimed that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatens to nuke Israel: “[Nasrallah]
said: If all the Jews gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of chasing them down around the world.”
This wouldn’t be the first time Netanyahu spoke openly about his fears of a nuclear Iranian state;
on Sept. 29 when addressing the UN General Assembly, Netanyahu proclaimed that Ayatollah Khomeini
once vowed to dominate the world with his militant Islamic doctrine.
“You know, to say that Iran doesn’t practice terrorism is like saying Derek Jeter never played
shortstop for the New York Yankees,” Netanyahu said. “ ...this bemoaning by the Iranian president of the
spread of terrorism has got to be one of history’s greatest displays of doubletalk.”
While the Senate was packed with noted senators such as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (as well as special guest award-winning author of Night,Elie
Wiesel), over 50 congressional Democrats refused to attend the event, indicating partisan complications
within the House.
During the speech,Israelis For a Sustainable Future protested outside the Israeli consulate in New
York City. Hunter College student and activist Abraham Gutman claims that “Bibi does not speak for us.”
“Every year, there’s a cycle of violence…” he says. “Israelis live in fear of bombing from Iran,
because Netanyahu uses Iran as a silver bullet for any issue [Israelis] want to discuss. It’s not
sustainable.”
The previous night on Monday, March 2, Netanyahu spoke at the annual American IsraelPublic
Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in which he defends his coming address to Congress. Upon leaving, he was
greeted with hundreds of protesters on Capitol Hill, some holding a banner which read NETANYAHU:
WAR CRIMINAL in red, black, and green.
Many of these protestors joined together under Veterans for Peace,the Coalition to End the
Israeli Occupation, and Code Pink.
Michael Sampson of the Dream Defenders explains was in attendance and explains their mission:
“The goals were to raise awareness and challenge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and
AIPAC. Israelis an apartheid nation that persecutes the people of Palestine and African immigrants...Our
message is for the U.S. government to end all foreign aid to Israel.”
Since Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address, the US and Iran have moved forward in talks of the
nuclear program.