Reuters – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the U.S. Congress on Wednesday he was confident that efforts to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza would succeed while pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to nearby streets.
“As we speak we’re actively engaged in intensive efforts to secure their (hostages) release. And I’m confident that these efforts can succeed,” he said after being greeted by a standing ovation.
Dozens of Democratic lawmakers skipped his speech to Congress, expressing dismay over the thousands of civilian deaths and the humanitarian crisis from Israel’s campaign in the Hamas-ruled Palestinian enclave of Gaza.
Hamas-led fighters triggered the war on Oct. 7 by storming into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 captives, according to Israeli tallies. Some 120 hostages are still being held though Israel believes one in three are dead.
“America and Israel must stand together,” Netanyahu said as he began his speech, after walking in to uproarious applause and shouts from Republicans and a more subdued reception from Democrats.
It was a record fourth speech by a foreign leader to a joint meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives, surpassing British wartime leader Winston Churchill, who made three.
Thousands of demonstrators took to nearby streets amid the tightest security since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. The Capitol building was surrounded by high fencing, with a heavy police presence.
Just before Netanyahu spoke, the U.S. Capitol police reported that some of the protests had become violent, prompting them to use pepper spray.
Pro-Palestinian groups and university students have for months protested in the U.S. against Israel’s offensive in Gaza, a Hamas-ruled enclave where health authorities say nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly all of its 2.3 million people have been displaced.
