Netanyahu Denounces Pro-Palestine Protesters As 'Iran's Useful Idiots' In US Congress Address

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Thursday (25 July) slammed the pro-Palestinian protesters in US, calling them "useful idiots" for Iran's Islamist regime.

Netanyahu was addressing a joint session of the US Congress amid protests outside the Capitol building by anti-Israel protesters.

"I have a message for these protesters. When the tyrants of Tehran, who hang gays from cranes and murder women for not covering their hair, are praising, promoting and funding you, you have officially become Iran's useful idiots," Netanyahu said.

"Some of these protesters hold up signs proclaiming gays for Gaza. They might as well hold up signs saying ‘Chickens for KFC.’" the Israeli PM said, referring to the rampant homophobic policies in the Muslim-dominated Gaza.

"These protesters chant ‘From the river to the sea.’ But many don't have a clue what river and what sea they're talking about," he added.

According to the US Jewish advocacy group Anti-Defamation League, the slogan "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" is characterized as an antisemitic rallying cry.

The group notes that it has historically been used by "anti-Israel voices, including supporters of terrorist organizations such as Hamas".

This was Netanyahu's first address to US lawmakers in nearly a decade and the first since Hamas' 7 October terrorist attack on Israel killed 1,200 people and resulted in the taking of over 240 hostages to Gaza, where about 100 are still believed to be held captive.

Netanyahu also sought to tie Israel's war on Hamas and Iranian proxies in the Middle East to unrest within the US, stressing that his country is Washington's closest ally in an increasingly unstable region.

"We're not only protecting ourselves, we're protecting you," he said, eliciting a standing ovation.

"Our enemies are your enemies. Our fight is your fight. And our victory will be your victory. Ladies and gentlemen, that victory is in sight. Israel's defeat of Hamas will be a powerful blow to Iran's axis of terror," he added.

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