Full Speech: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Makes Address to Congress

ul 24, 2024 | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to bolster U.S. support for his country's fight against Hamas in a speech to Congress Wednesday that sparked boycotts by some top Democrats and drew thousands of protesters to the nation’s capital.

Netanyahu Delivers a Forceful Defense of Israel to Applause in Congress

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The symbolism of the speech by Israel’s leader was almost as notable as anything he said, as criticism of the country’s war in Gaza grows.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel addressed a joint meeting of Congress at the Capitol on Wednesday. | Kenny Holston/The New York Times
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Wednesday issued a full-throated defense of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, during an address to Congress that laid bare deep divisions in Washington over a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

In a speech in which he angrily pushed back on criticism of Israel’s conduct of the war that has cleaved the Democratic Party and disrupted American college campuses, Mr. Netanyahu linked Israel’s security directly to that of the United States, insisting: “We’re not only protecting ourselves; we’re protecting you.”

“Our enemies are your enemies; our fight is your fight; and our victory will be your victory,” Mr. Netanyahu said, emphasizing the strategic role of Israel in countering Iran. The fact of Mr. Netanyahu’s speech was almost as notable as anything he said. In the face of increasing international censure and dissent both in Israel and in the United States, Mr. Netanyahu was seeking to use Congress to lift his sagging political fortunes — and leaders in both parties obliged with a bipartisan invitation to receive him.

But in the House chamber as he spoke, there was clear evidence of how the longstanding bipartisan consensus to back Israel has eroded in Congress since the Hamas attack of Oct. 7 and the offensive in Gaza that followed. Dozens of Democratic members, including two top senators and Representative Nancy Pelosi, the former speaker, boycotted the speech. Vice President Kamala Harris declined to preside, as is traditional for the vice president, citing a scheduling conflict. » | Annie Karni, Reporting from the Capitol | Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Ukraine Aid Is Investment Not Charity, President Zelensky Tells US Lawmakers - BBC News

Dec 22, 2022 | Ukraine is "alive and kicking" and will never surrender, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, in an address to US lawmakers on his first foreign trip since Russia's invasion. US military aid to Ukraine was not charity, but an investment in global security for the future, Mr Zelensky said. His appeal comes amid signs US support is likely to face greater scrutiny by Republican lawmakers in Congress. But President Joe Biden vowed to stick by Ukraine "for as long as it takes", pledging a new $2bn (£1.7bn) aid package and promising a further $45bn (£37bn).

House January 6 Panel Recommends Criminal Charges against Donald Trump

THE GUARDIAN: The referral marks the first time in US history that Congress has taken such action against a former president


House January 6 panel recommends criminal charges against Donald Trump – video
The January 6 committee has referred Donald Trump to the justice department to face criminal charges, accusing the former president of fomenting an insurrection and conspiring against the government over his attempt to subvert the outcome of the 2020 election, and the bloody attack on the US Capitol.

The committee’s referrals approved by its members on Monday are the first time in American history that Congress has recommended charges against a former president. They come after more than a year of investigation by the bipartisan House of Representatives panel tasked with understanding Trump’s plot to stop Joe Biden from taking office.

“The committee believes that more than sufficient evidence exists for a criminal referral of former President Trump for assisting or aiding and comforting those at the Capitol who engaged in a violent attack on the United States,” Congressman Jamie Raskin said as the lawmakers held their final public meeting. » | Chris Stein in Washington | Monday, December 19, 2022

Robert Garcia Will Be First Out Gay Immigrant in Congress

Courtesy LGBTQ Victory Fund
ADVOCATE: Garcia, an immigrant from Peru and the mayor of Long Beach, Calif., has been elected to the U.S. House from California's 42nd Congressional District.

Robert Garcia of California has been elected as the first out gay immigrant in Congress.

Garcia, currently mayor of Long Beach, has won the U.S. House seat in California’s 42nd Congressional District, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund.

A Democrat, he bested Republican John Briscoe, a businessman. As of 9:30 p.m. Pacific time, Garcia had 68 percent of the vote and Briscoe 32 percent. Because of redistricting, there was no incumbent in the race. » | Trudy Ring | Wednesday, November 9, 2022

US elections: LGBTQ+ candidates smash through rainbow ceiling as future of queer rights hangs in the balance: Numerous LGBTQ+ candidates have smashed the rainbow ceiling and won seats in the 2022 US elections. »

Zelenskiy Calls for US to Send Aircraft to Ukraine in Video Call with US Congress

THE GUARDIAN: President made a ‘desperate plea’ for military aid to more than 280 senators and representatives as Congress works on $10bn package

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked the US for planes, drones and anti-aircraft missiles. Photograph: Ukrainian Presidency Press Offic/Zuma Press Wire Service/Rex/Shutterstock
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, urged US lawmakers to help provide aircraft to defend the country against Russian invasion during a video meeting with members of Congress on Saturday.

Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, said Zelenskiy “made a desperate plea” for the military aid, which would include planes, drones and anti-aircraft missiles. The Ukrainian president praised sanctions placed upon Russia during the meeting but pressed US lawmakers to go further by banning oil imports from Moscow.

“These planes are very much needed,” Schumer, a Democrat, said in a statement following the gathering of more than 280 senators and House of Representative members. “And I will do all I can to help the administration to facilitate their transfer.” » | Oliver Milman in New York | Saturday, March 5, 2022

Saudi Lobbying in the US Under Spotlight after Khashoggi Murder | Al Jazeera English

Saudi Arabia has amassed one of the largest and best-funded lobbying operations in the US. The kingdom has spent millions of dollars to buy influence in Washington. But in the wake of the Khashoggi scandal, some PR firms are dropping Riyadh as a client. Al Jazeera's Kimberly Halkett reports from the White House.

US Congress Condemns Saudi Report on Kashoggi Murder | Al Jazeera English

Fewer than 24 hours after calling the Saudi report on the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi "credible", the US president has walked back that statement, saying that there had been "deception" and "lies". US congressional leadership was even more aggressive, calling for sanctions and an end to arms sales to Saudi Arabia. However, President Donald Trump continues to praise Saudi Arabia as an ally and is reluctant to act on the angry calls coming from Congress. Al Jazeera's Mike Hanaa reports from Washington, DC.

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Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's Full Speech To Congress (March 3, 2015)

Netanyahu Arrives in US for Contested Congress Iran Speech

BBC AMERICA: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in the US to argue against a possible nuclear deal with Iran.

Mr Netanyahu says the deal would be inadequate to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb.

He is due to give a speech in Congress on Tuesday which was not agreed in advance with the Obama administration, angering the White House.

The speech comes two weeks before Israeli elections, with his Likud party under pressure in domestic polls.

The US and other powers - the so-called P5+1 - are negotiating with Iran on its nuclear programme.

They want a framework agreement by the end of the month which addresses concerns that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons technology, something Tehran denies. (+ BBC video) » | Sunday, March 01, 2015

John Boehner Invites Netanyahu to Congress on Iran

BBC AMERICA: US House Speaker John Boehner has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to Congress on Iran.

The move is seen as a rebuke to President Barack Obama's threat to veto any additional sanctions on the country during his State of the Union address.

The White House has said it believes new sanctions will be harmful to negotiations on its nuclear programme.

Mr Boehner also criticised the president's other proposals, including a tax hike for the rich.

He confirmed on Wednesday he had invited Mr Netanyahu to speak to Congress "on the grave threats radical Islam and Iran pose to our security and way of life".

The Speaker accused Mr Obama of "papering over" the threat of both militant Islamic groups and Iran's nuclear programme in his speech. Congree in Netanyahu snub to Obama » | Wednesday, January 21, 2015

John McCain Urges Congressional Action to Punish Russia

Mar. 13, 2014 - 6:48 - Key Republican senator sounds off on crisis in Ukraine

101-year-old Runs for US Congress in Florida

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Florida centurion bids to become oldest person to be elected to US Congress

A Florida great-great grandfather has launched a campaign to run for the US Congress in November, running on a record of 101 years of life experience.

In a bid to become the world's oldest freshman, Joe Newman announced on his website joenewman101.com that he will present his candidacy to the House of Representatives for the first time on a promise that "all citizens be heard".

He is 76 years older than the minimum age of 25 required to serve in Congress. » | AFP | Friday, February 21, 2014