Date | July 22–27, 2024 |
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Location | Washington, D.C., United States |
In July 2024, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington, D.C. to hold meetings with senior officials and deliver a speech to the United States Congress.
Due to Israel's handling of the ongoing Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu's visit to the U.S. was met with both political backlash and support. His speech was boycotted by 92 U.S. lawmakers, including 89 Democrats and 1 Republican, citing various political criticisms. The address was also met by thousands of Pro-Palestinian protestors. Conversely, many Democratic and Republican politicians showcased their support for Netanyahu and Israel during the address. [1] [2]
The visit was cut short by a few hours due to the Majdal Shams attack. [3]
Following the start of Israel-Hamas war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government have received criticism for their handling of the war. During the war, more than 39,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, [4] leading to accusations of genocide. In May 2024, Karim Ahmad Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, announced his intentions to apply an arrest warrant against Netanyahu, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. [5]
In response to news of the pending arrest warrant, many U.S. politicians, both Republican and Democratic, reiterated their support of Netanyahu and Israel. On May 31, Mike Johnson, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, and Hakeem Jeffries all formally invited Netanyahu to speak before Congress. [6]
Ahead of and during Netanyahu's U.S. visit, thousands of anti-war and Pro-Palestine protestors marched across the Washington D.C. [7] The protests led to 23 arrests. [7]
Protesters at Washington Union Station removed 3 American Flags and replaced them with Palestinian flags during the address. [8] Other incidents involved the burning of American Flags, and the use of Hamas slogans, such as “Qassam, Qassam, make us proud,” cheering Hamas’s military wing. [9]
A group called Palestinian Youth Movement released a video to social media showing hundreds of maggots and crickets crawling on a conference table at the Watergate Hotel, where Netanyahu was staying. In addition to the maggots seen on the video, the group claimed that the bugs were released in multiple floors. In the video, fire alarms can be heard in the background which the group claimed were set off to ensure that Netanyahu had "no peace". [10]
Date | July 24, 2024 |
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Time | 2:00 p.m. (EST) |
Venue | House Chamber, United States Capitol |
Location | Washington, D.C. |
Footage | C-SPAN |
Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. His speech lasted about 52 minutes. [11]
Before the address, Netanyahu exchanged gifts with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, a customary tradition. [12] Johnson gifted Netanyahu a collection of documents and letters, including a letter written by Benzion Netanyahu, Netanyahu's father, to U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower; as well as a note-card from U.S. President Gerald Ford. Netanyahu gifted Johnson a shrapnel sculpture of a dove flying over the state of Israel. [12]
During his speech, Netanyahu vowed to press forward with the war until reaching "total victory", but stated he would agree to a cease-fire if specific conditions were met. Netanyahu portrayed the war as “clash between barbarism and civilization”, and attacked anti-war protesters as “Iran’s useful idiots.” [13] He also praised U.S. President Joe Biden. [14]
Netanyahu received a nearly eight-minute standing ovation upon arrival, and nearly 50 standing ovations during the speech. [15] [16]
During the speech, Netanyahu made several statements that according to ABC were false or missing context. [17] [18] Netanyahu said "If there are Palestinians in Gaza who aren't getting enough food, it's not because Israel is blocking it. It's because Hamas is stealing it". This has been disputed by USAID, international organizations, and humanitarian groups. [18] Additionally, Netanyahu claimed that during the Rafah invasion, there were "practically no civilian deaths," that the war had “one of the lowest ratios of combatants to non-combatant casualties in the history of urban warfare,” “that Iran is funding and promoting anti-Israel protests in America.” Furthermore Netanyahu said the ICC’s allegation that Israel is starving people of Gaza is “utter, complete nonsense” and a “fabrication.” These claims have been disputed by the media, UN, experts and various NGO's working on the ground. [19] [20]
Six guests were arrested during the speech, and charged with disrupting congress, for removing outer layers of clothing to expose t-shirts with the message "SEAL THE DEAL NOW", advocating for Israel to reach a ceasefire and a hostage exchange deal. [21] The guests were all family members of individuals who are being held captive by Hamas. [22]
Netanyahu's speech drew mixed reactions. [23]
Democratic Representative and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who did not attend the speech, attacked Netanyahu's speech, calling it "by far the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary invited and honored with the privilege of addressing the Congress of the United States." Pelosi reiterated her support of Israel, while criticizing Netanyahu and calling for a ceasefire. [24]
Following the speech, Democratic Representatives Adam Schiff and Jimmy Gomez, who both attended, called on Netanyahu to resign. [23]
Republican reception to the speech was generally positive. [23] However, The American Conservative was critical, with Bradley Devin writing "While Americans have long sought a way out of the Middle East, Netanyahu seems keen on keeping America in." [25]
Ahead of Netanyahu's address, many Congressional Representatives and several Senators announced their intentions to boycott the address. [26] [27]
Eventually 92 lawmakers boycotted the address as a form of protest. The list includes 89 Democrats, 2 Independents (Angus King and Bernie Sanders), and 1 Republican (Thomas Massie).
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib attended the address, holding a sign that read "war criminal" on one side and "guilty of genocide" on the other. [52]
Democratic U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (the ex-officio President of the United States Senate) and Republican Senator J.D. Vance did not attend the address. However, their absences were not explicit political protests, with both citing prior engagements. Harris stated her absence is due to her campaigning for President in the 2024 election, and intends to privately meet with Netanyahu later. Vance similarly cited his campaign duties as Donald Trump's running mate in election. Both reiterated their support for Israel in spite of their absence. [14]
Senator Robert Menendez was convicted of bribery the week before the address and announced his resignation from the Senate the day before the address. Although officially still a Senator until the resignation became effective a month later, Menendez had not been in Washington between the conviction and the address. [53]
Congressmembers Emanuel Cleaver, Dwight Evans, [54] and Bill Pascrell were unable to attend due to medical reasons, with Cleaver having tested positive for COVID-19. [28] Senator Tim Kaine stated that he was unable to attend, due to a previously scheduled commitment in Virginia. [26]
Despite Harris' absence at the congressional address, Netanyahu held a private meeting with her during his visit. During the visit, Harris reportedly pressed Netanyahu to reach a cease-fire. [55]
Netanyahu also announced plans to meet with Former U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit; Trump is also the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential election. [56]
Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is an Israeli politician, serving as the prime minister of Israel since 2022, having previously held the office in 1996–1999 and 2009–2021. He is chair of the Likud party. Netanyahu is the longest-serving prime minister in Israel's history, having served a total of over 16 years.
Ismail Haniyeh was a Palestinian politician who served as chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau from May 2017 until his assassination in July 2024. He also served as prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority from March 2006 until June 2014 and Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip from June 2007 until February 2017, where he was succeeded by Yahya Sinwar.
A series of attempts to resolve the hostility between Fatah and Hamas have been made since their 2006–2007 conflict and the subsequent violent conflict over the Gaza Strip.
Bezalel Yoel Smotrich is an Israeli far-right politician and lawyer who has served as the Minister of Finance since 2022. The leader of the National Religious Party–Religious Zionism, he previously served as a Knesset member for The Jewish Home and Yamina.
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda, on 20 December 2019 announced an investigation into war crimes allegedly committed in Palestine by members of the Israeli military or Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups since 13 June 2014.
Following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war, the United States began to send warships and military aircraft into the Eastern Mediterranean and began sending Israel more military supplies. The Joe Biden administration stated that Israel would receive "whatever it needs" to support its offensive against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Eylon Aslan-Levy, also known as Eylon Levy, is a British-Israeli figure who served as official Israeli government spokesman, from the start of 2023 Israel–Hamas war to March 2024, when he was suspended.
Francesca P. Albanese is an Italian international lawyer and academic. On 1 May 2022, she was appointed United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories for a three-year term. She is the first woman to hold the position.
On 7 October 2023, a large escalation of the Gaza–Israel conflict began with a coordinated offensive by multiple Palestinian militant groups against Israel. A number of countries, including many of Israel's Western allies, such as the United States and a number of European countries, condemned the attacks by Hamas, expressed solidarity for Israel and stated that Israel has a right to defend itself from armed attacks, while countries of the Muslim world have expressed support for the Palestinians, blaming the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories as being the root cause for the escalation of violence. The events prompted several world leaders to announce their intention to visit Israel, including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
On 7 October 2023, Noa Argamani, an Israeli woman, was abducted by Hamas during the Re'im music festival massacre, part of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. In one of the first Hamas videos released of the massacre, she was seen being taken away on a motorcycle as she yelled, "Don't kill me!" Her arms were outstretched toward her boyfriend Avinatan Or, who was also kidnapped. The footage of her kidnapping became a symbol of the hostage crisis and led to Argamani being described as "the face of the Nova music festival hostages".
The Israel–Hamas war sparked a major diplomatic crisis, with many countries around the world reacting strongly to the conflict that affected the momentum of regional relations. At least nine countries took the drastic step of recalling their ambassadors and cutting diplomatic ties with Israel. The conflict has also resulted in a renewed focus on a two-state solution to the ongoing conflict.
Events of the year 2024 in Israel.
The Israeli government's response to the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel has multiple aspects, including a military response leading to the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. In October, the Knesset approved a war cabinet in Israel, adding National Unity ministers and altering the government; Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz froze non-war legislation, establishing a war cabinet with military authority.
As a result of the Israel–Hamas war, nationwide protests have occurred across Israel, including rallies, demonstrations, campaigns, and vigils. These demonstrations occurred as part of broader war-related protests occurring worldwide. Israelis domestically and abroad have primarily called for the return of hostages held by Hamas.
This timeline of the Israel–Hamas war covers events from 7 October until 27 October 2023.
The Israel–Hamas war has had significant effects on some major European Union member countries and institutions.
The Israeli support for Hamas refers to direct involvement by Israeli authorities from different periods in the rise and empowerment of Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The three-phase Israel–Hamas war ceasefire proposal is a proposed prisoner exchange and armistice proposal to end the Israel–Hamas war. The deal was drafted by mediators from Egypt and Qatar on May 5, and endorsed by Hamas on May 6. On May 31, U.S. president Joe Biden presented the deal, stating it was an Israeli proposal; the proposals are nearly identical. The proposal is a serial initiative in three stages, beginning with a six-week ceasefire, the release of all Israelis being held in Gaza in exchange for some Palestinian detainees, a permanent ceasefire, Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, and a reconstruction process lasting from three to five years.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735, adopted on 10 June 2024, calls on Hamas to accept a proposed hostage and ceasefire agreement in the ongoing Israel–Hamas war. The resolution, presented by the United States, details the three-phase proposal and notes Israel's acceptance thereof. The implementation of the described agreement would result in the release of all hostages held by Hamas, establish a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and advance a multi-year reconstruction plan. Additionally, the resolution rejects any demographic or territorial changes in the Gaza Strip and reaffirms the Security Council's support for a two-state solution, envisioning the unification of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank under Palestinian Authority governance.
Over the span of two days in July 2024, a series of protests against the United States' involvement in the Israel–Hamas war occurred in Washington D.C. The protests coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the United States and giving a speech to a joint session of the United States Congress. 23 people in total were arrested by police.