Update (1815ET): Anti-Israel protesters were filmed dragging and assaulting a DC cop, and setting fire to an American flag in protest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech.
NEW: Pro-Palestine protesters filmed dragging and assaulting a police officer on the bricks outside of Union Station.
The protesters were also filmed replacing the U.S. flag with the Palestinian flag before setting fire to the U.S. flag.
U.S. Capitol Police was forced to issue… pic.twitter.com/blEEXWSW5y
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 24, 2024
‘BURN THAT SHIT!’ Anti-Israel protesters set fire to the American flag in D.C. pic.twitter.com/4oe7nxq2dy
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 24, 2024
Meanwhile, all three flags at Union Station were replaced with Palestinian flags.
All three flags at Union Station in Washington DC, including the American flag, have been replaced by the flag Hamas flags pic.twitter.com/QMEBujujfr
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) July 24, 2024
Our Nation’s Capitol right now: pic.twitter.com/DUM8XwYMF8
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 24, 2024
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Summary: Seeking to shore up support for the war against Hamas in Gaza, and with Vice President Harris not in attendance and with dozens of Democrats also choosing to skip in protest, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed “this great citadel of democracy for the fourth time.” He also took time in the lengthy address to acknowledge rescued hostages and their families, including families of American hostages, present in the chamber for the speech.
“I will not rest until all of their loved ones are home! All of them” – he said of the hostages. We are “actively engaged” in intensive efforts to secure their release, the prime minister said. “Some of them are taking place right now.” He also recognized “President Biden’s “tireless efforts” and “heartfelt support” for Israel. Biden “dispatched two aircraft carriers to the Middle East to prevent a wider war,” Netanyahu said. Also acknowledging this politically chaotic and sensitive moment where Biden has bowed out of the presidential race, he called the US president “A proud Irish-American Zionist.” But he also by the end of the speech thanked Donald Trump for forging the historic Abraham Accords, and gave thanks for his surviving the assassination attempt against him.
Bibi is a master of optics, and he delivered a highly emotional reminder of the enormity and evil of the Oct.7 terror attacks. As expected, he linked 9/11, Oct. 7, and the Holocaust, but also highlighted American domestic protests and ‘anti-Jewish hate’. He described that ultimately this is a clash between “barbarism and civilization”, or “those who glorify death and those who sanctify life.” He said that on Oct.7 Hamas butchered 39 Americans, and likened it to having several 9/11’s in one day (compared to the population size of Israel). “Iran’s axis of terror confronts America, Israel, and its Arab friends,” he also said at one point, before linking Iran to US campus protests. He even mentioned the “frat brothers at the University of North Carolina” who tenaciously protected the American flag from raging anti-Israeli protesters. He ultimately accused “Iran of funding and promoting” anti-American and anti-Israel protests. “If Israel’s hands are tied, America is next,” he claimed.
He emphasized that America and Israel must stand together… “we win, they lose,” he said. Netanyahu also repeatedly went after the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) during the speech, calling the court “downright dangerous”. He called the genocide allegations “utter complete nonsense” and a fabrication.
At one point he told the story of an Ethiopian-Israeli officer who ran eight miles to the border where he killed terrorists. “These are the soldiers of Israel, unbowed, undaunted, unafraid!” He also held up the heroic actions of a Muslim-Israeli officer serving in a Arab Bedouin unit.
Republicans ripped Kamala’s absence…
Kamala Harris:
When Ukraine 🇺🇦 When Israel 🇮🇱
leader speaks: leader speaks: pic.twitter.com/OqZPD6KAsC— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) July 24, 2024
As expected, much of his speech was focused on Iran, who he said is behind “all the terrorism” and “all the killing”. He argued that Israel is essentially a wall protecting the rest of the civilized world from Iran and its proxies, whether Hezbollah, the Houthis, or Iraqi Shia militants. At one point he even asserted that the Islamic Republic “brazenly threatened to assassinate President Trump.” He said Israel is at the “front lines” – which helps prevent more American boots on the ground.”
He proclaimed that Israel is “grateful” for US support, but also pleaded: “give us the tools faster” and we will end the war faster. He blamed Hamas for lack of ceasefire, saying the terror group must return all hostages. If they don’t, Bibi said, Hamas will be utterly destroyed.
Surprisingly, any protest attempt during the speech was minimal to non-existent, apart from a few shouts just after the close of the speech, with throughout was interspersed with long clapping bouts from Congress members. There were a few Progressive Dems holding up small signs, however, which appeared to have no impact…
Others decided to show their support by actually putting on a suit and tie…
Watch Live:
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Update (1358ET):
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address Congress at 1400 ET. The last time Netanyahu addressed Congress was in 2015. This address comes at a time of massive division between Republicans and Democrats and their approach to one of America’s closest allies amid the ongoing war raging across Gaza.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Capitol, calling it a “very important time” for the Israeli leader’s visit.
“This is a very important time,” Johnson said, adding, “Our bipartisan congressional leadership recognized it as such and invited him here.”
According to CNN, at least 50 Democratic lawmakers are planning to ‘miss’ Netanyahu’s address to Congress.
“Dozens of members of Democrats are expected to skip Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress on Wednesday afternoon. Some are boycotting, others are attending a series of counter-programming events, and several cited scheduling conflicts as the reason.” – CNN
Republicans are currently criticizing Vice President Harris for also planning to skip the event.
“The Vice President can’t be bothered to show up at the nation’s capital and the House chamber and to demonstrate the respect and courtesy that we thought was a given, but apparently not,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) said earlier.
Cornyn added, “I think it’s absolutely disgraceful that the most senior members of the Democratic Party have chosen to give the Heisman to one of our closest allies in the Middle East.”
Elon Musk is even attending.
🚨 JUST IN: Elon Musk has now CONFIRMED he is at the US Capitol to Israeli PM Netanyahu speech to a joint session of Congress
Interesting! pic.twitter.com/3nZ3P4MCG4
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 24, 2024
Meanwhile, outside of the Capitol Building…
A terrorist flag is being flown at a protest near the Capitol building in DC.
The only flag that should be flown is the UNITED STATES FLAG. pic.twitter.com/8q4RCgMHDF
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) July 24, 2024
Breaking: pro-Palestinian activists have shut down a major intersection outside of the Capitol Building while chanting “Globalize the intifada.”
They are a direct security threat to Capitol Hill. pic.twitter.com/O6vXNpNS5M
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) July 24, 2024
CNN notes that Hostages Families Forum has urged Netanyahu to open up to US lawmakers with the words: “There’s a deal.”
Without those words, “there will be neither victory nor revival,” the forum expressed.
Netanyahu’s speech comes at a critical juncture in the nine-month war. CNN cited US officials who expressed optimism about the potential for a deal that could free Hamas-held hostages and bring the conflict to the final chapter.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington, DC, on Monday. Today, he plans to address Congress to strengthen American support for his multi-month war in Gaza to eliminate Hamas terrorists. Meanwhile, outside the Capitol Complex, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are set to participate in what organizers are calling a ‘day of rage.’
On Tuesday evening, X user Andy Ngo said, “A large mob has flooded the US Capitol one day ahead of the planned “Day of Rage” against Netanyahu’s visit to Congress.”
Ngo said, “Far-left and Palestinian nationalist groups have announced plans to shut down Washington, DC in response to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at the Capitol on July 24.”
Breaking: A large mob has flooded the U.S. Capitol one day ahead of the planned “Day of Rage” against Netanyahu’s visit to Congress. pic.twitter.com/1BlVvOdn1S https://t.co/4HUKrf4IQx
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) July 23, 2024
Ahmad Abuznaid, executive director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights and organizer of the event, told BBC News that protesters will “make the statement that war criminals like Netanyahu are not welcome” in Washington.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson invited Netanyahu to give his first address to Congress in nine years. He is scheduled to address lawmakers at 1400 ET. Johnson has warned against demonstrations inside the House chamber, saying there would be arrests “if we have to do it.”
Hundreds of NYPD officers have been sent to Washington, D.C. to help local law enforcement maintain public safety for the planned leftist “Day of Rage” against Netanyahu on July 24. https://t.co/LU3lGWIsJX
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) July 24, 2024
Another protest organizer said, “More people are willing to get arrested this time” compared to previous demonstrations.
“All the protests have shown a tone of rage, but this time is definitely different,” said one of the organizers with the Palestinian Youth Movement, adding, “It is our enemy, our primary enemy, they are inviting into the White House.”
Meanwhile, most leftist corporate media outlets are radio silent about the ‘day of rage’… Most likely because protests would generate bad optics for the presumptive Democratic nominee, Vice-President Kamala Harris.
Netanyahu is also due to speak with President Biden and VP Harris at the White House. Former President Trump announced on Tuesday that he will talk with Netanyahu later this week at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
