Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is speaking now (Wednesday) before the American Congress, as part of a special debate held in the presence of members of both houses of Congress - the Senate and the House of Representatives. In his words, Netanyahu is expected to refer to the war in Gaza, the struggle for the release of the abductees, as well as the Iranian challenge facing the countries of the region and the United States - when he is expected to present a new way of dealing with Tehran.
"I want to thank you for the great honour of speaking before this fortress of democracy for the fourth time. We are meeting today at a historic crossroads. In the Middle East, Iran is confronting Israel and its allies. This is not a clash of civilizations, but a clash between barbarism and civilization. Between those who sanctify death and those who that sanctify life. In order for civilization to win, the US and Israel must stand together - because then a very simple thing happens: we win and they lose."
"Like December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001, October 7 will always be remembered as a terrible day. It started as a happy day, the holiday of Simchat Torah - and suddenly at 6:29 heaven turned into hell. Thousands of Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, massacred Hundreds of Israelis and Americans. Relatively speaking, this is 20 times the number of those killed on 9/11. These monsters raped women, and dragged 250 people, alive and dead, into Gaza. Israel has already brought home 120 of them, including 7 who were released in daring operations."
"One of the abductees, Noa Argamani, is here, sitting next to my wife Sara. On the morning of October 7, the world saw Noa Argamani's look of horror as she was kidnapped on a motorcycle to Gaza. I met with Noa's mother a few months ago, when she was dying of cancer. She said Her last wish is to hug her daughter again. Two months ago, I approved a rescue operation, including officer Arnon Zamora. The most exciting thing was when she was reunited with her mother and fulfilled her last wish We're glad you're with us today."
Later, Netanyahu introduced the rest of the families of the abductees, including representatives of the Bibbs family and the families of the American abductees: "The pain these families went through is indescribable. I met with these families again yesterday and promised them - I will not rest until all their loved ones return home. At this moment we are investing in efforts to bring the Everyone go home, and I want to thank President Biden for his efforts to free the abductees."
He also thanked President Joe Biden "for his widespread support for Israel after the severe attacks. He rightly called Hamas 'pure evil,' he stood by us in our most difficult hours and his visit near the massacre will never be forgotten. Biden and I have known each other for over 40 years, I want to thank him On half a jubilee of friendship".
Netanyahu went on to introduce soldiers who came with him to the Congress: "For nine months, Israeli soldiers showed great courage. With us today is Major General Avichai Reuven, an officer in the paratroopers. His family immigrated from Ethiopia, and in the early hours of 7.10 he heard about the Hamas attack, put on a uniform, grabbed a rifle, he didn't have a car and ran 8 kilometers to defend his country. He ran 8 kilometers, eliminated terrorists and saved many lives. We all respect your courage to no end. With us is also Ashraf, a Muslim soldier who fought alongside the Jews and Christians with great courage. A third hero, Assaf Sofer, is also here - he was wounded in battle while protecting his soldiers from a grenade, lost the sight in his eye and his hand, and is now recovering - when he will soon return to his service. These are the heroes of Israel."
After the performances, Netanyahu commented on the war in Gaza: "To defeat our enemies, courage and transparency are required - which starts with distinguishing between good and evil. Despite this, many demonstrators support Hamas, those who entered the kibbutzim and murdered families and babies, they should be ashamed of themselves. They want to sabotage America, and they Burning US flags - even on the 4th of July. We heard from the head of American intelligence that Iran is funding the supporters of Hamas in America - including those who are protesting in front of this building now. They shout 'from the sea to the river', but they have no idea which sea and which river. Don't they know that Israel is the country of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, David and Solomon? Israel has always been our country, and will always be our country."
"80 years after the Holocaust, the presidents of the universities could not condemn the calls for the genocide of Jews. They said it 'depends on the context. So I will give context - for years we were accused of delusional and anti-Semitic things, which led to the mass murder of Jews. Just like then, the Jewish people were accused Today, the Jewish state is accused of lies. No wonder there is a shocking increase in anti-Semitism, wherever we see anti-Semitism, we must condemn it without exception."