Netanyahu defends Gaza war in Congress as protests swell outside Capitol: Recap

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a vigorous defense of Israel’s actions in Gaza in an address to a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday.

While and after he spoke, thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested outside the Capitol and down the street at Union Station, some demanding the arrest of Netanyahu, who has been charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

A number of Democrats are boycotting the speech, which comes at the invitation of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), as anger boils over Netanyahu’s refusal to end the war and inability to secure the release of hostages taken during Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack.

However, nearly everyone in attendance stood for an ovation as Netanyahu entered the House chamber — with a couple notable exceptions.

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