Must stand side by side

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has begun his speech before the US Congress.

– The US and Israel must stand side by side, he says.

Netanyahu describes the war as “a struggle between barbarism and civilization”.

– That is why the US and Israel must stand united. And we will win, he continues and is met by a standing ovation.

Netanyahu recounts the events of the October 7th Hamas massacre of Israelis. He emphasizes the importance of the families of the hostages – some of whom are present in Congress – getting their loved ones home.

Want to anchor support

Netanyahu’s trip to the US comes at a time when the relationship between the two countries is strained due to Israel’s warfare in Gaza. Ahead of the visit, Netanyahu said he “will strive to entrench the US support that is so important to Israel.”

During his visit to the United States, Netanyahu will meet with both Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

On Thursday, President Joe Biden is also expected to meet the Israeli leader. Biden says that he will, among other things, devote his last six months as president to ending the war in Gaza and bringing home the hostages.

Many seats empty

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson, has said before Netanyahu’s visit that it “has never been more important than now to stand by our closest ally in the Middle East”. But several top Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have announced they will not attend Netanyahu’s address to Congress.

Vice President Kamala Harris is also not present during the speech, referring to a previously scheduled meeting in Indiana.

During the day, thousands of protesters have gathered near the capitol building, demanding that the US end all support for Israel.