by Hudson Kamphausen
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fiery address Wednesday before a joint session of Congress drew mixed reactions from Connecticut leaders, with some pledging continued support and others sharing disappointment at the Prime Minister’s tone.
In a heated speech, Netanyahu pledged to continue trying to reach a “total victory” over Hamas in Gaza following the October 7 attack. He also said Americans opposed to Israel’s conduct of the war were “idiots.”
Over 1,200 Israelis were killed when Hamas attacked last year and 251 hostages were taken. Various news agencies reported that as of Wednesday 118 hostages were still in captivity, including eight Americans.
Netanyahu described the attack to Congress, saying 3,000 Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel in the early morning and “butchered 1,200 people from 41 countries, including 39 Americans.”
He said that “proportionately, compared to our population size, that’s like 20 nine-elevens in one day.”
Netanyahu called upon Congress to continue supporting Israel through the end of the war and the destruction of Hamas.
News reports described protests under way near the Capitol grounds Wednesday night and said protestors were clashing with authorities who eventually used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The speech was a precursor to Netanyahu’s meeting with the Biden administration, which has cautioned their ally against continuing what has been construed as an overly aggressive response resulting in civilian casualties in Gaza, and turning a portion of American public opinion against Israel as a result.
The speech appeared to exacerbate those divisions within American society and Congress.
Several dozen Democrats, including Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, boycotted the address.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, said in a statement that he attended the speech as part of his job, but that he viewed Netanyahu’s rhetoric as a “setback” to achieving peace between Israel and Palestine.
“This was a speech designed to bolster Prime Minister Netanyahu’s political standing and Republican messaging. His time would have been better spent in Israel finalizing a deal to end the war and bring the hostages home,” Murphy said. He added that instead of describing a way for Israel to help achieve the peace plan laid out by President Joe Biden in May, Netanyahu’s address served the purpose of inserting himself into American politics.
“His insistence on downplaying the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was astonishing to hear, and the suggestion that any American who objects to the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent Gazans is a Hamas sympathizer was way out of bounds,” Murphy said. “The truth is that the civilian deaths in Gaza will be bulletin-board recruiting material for terrorists for years to come, increasing threats to both the U.S. and Israel.”
Netanyahu vowed during his speech to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities and to bring home the hostages.
“The hands of the Jewish state will never be shackled. Israel will always defend itself,” Netanyahu said.
DeLauro, who has been a supporter of Israel during her tenure in Washington, was sure to condemn Hamas for the October 7 attack and to advocate for the return of the hostages. But she also shared Murphy’s sentiments.
“I am angry Republicans have used this address to score political points and stoke division,” DeLauro said. “And I am shocked by the ongoing Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip, spearheaded by Prime Minister Netanyahu, that has been indifferent to the loss of Palestinian lives and settler violence.”
DeLauro said that a two-state peace agreement must be the outcome, and she was encouraged that peace talks have apparently progressed.
“The United States and Israel share a bond forged by our shared values as democracies,” she said. “We will always be allies, I will always support Israel, and I am committed to shaping a world in which Israelis can live in peace and security. I will continue my work to foster bipartisan support for Israel and a two-state solution.”
Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5th District, attended the speech and said on a social media platform that she and other members of Congress met with families of hostages taken by Hamas.
“They thanked President Biden for his efforts to help their families and implored us to push for a deal that ends the war, releases all the hostages and pursues a healing process for the entire Middle East,” Hayes said.
Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, echoed those sentiments in a statement, saying that he attended the address even though he disagreed with Netanyahu’s policies.
“My main concern remains bringing home the hostages safely and, as President Biden has put forward, securing a ceasefire that will lead to lasting peace with a two-state solution,” Larson said.
Connecticut Republican Party Chair Ben Proto said that he views America as still standing with Israel, and that his party was happy to welcome Netanyahu back to the US.
“Our fellow Americans will not be forgotten, and it is important that we continue to support our allies who help promote freedom, security, and prosperity in the Middle East and throughout the world,” Proto said.
State Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding said the protests that have resulted in property damage were “absolutely disgraceful.”
Harding continued: “Connecticut Senate Republicans condemn this in the strongest of terms. Hamas is a terror group that has in its mission statement the eradication of the Jewish people. The Connecticut Senate Republicans stand with our strong ally Israel in its efforts to protect its citizens, to get the hostages released and to hold all Hamas operatives accountable for the heinous massacre that happened on Oct. 7.”