Netanyahu receives standing ovation from US lawmakers despite war crimes in Gaza

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a standing ovation from the US lawmakers despite war crimes in Gaza when he came to address a joint session of the US Congress, seeking to garner support for his deadly war on Gaza.

Netanyahu addressed the US lawmakers, sometimes misleading them and sometimes outrightly lying about Israel's war on Gaza, where almost 40,000 people have been killed since Oct. 7.

People on social media criticized the US lawmakers and attendees of his speech, while Israel's attack on civilians in Gaza continued at that time.

Approximately, half of House and Senate Democrats skipped Netanyahu's address to a joint session of Congress.

- Lawmakers, guests who attended Netanyahu's address

Billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk attended Netanyahu's address as a special guest, according to Bloomberg.

Arizona Republican Representative Eli Crane was also spotted in the Congress expressing support for Netanyahu.

Beside him was Cory Mills, a Republican Representative from Florida, which isn't surprising given his strong support for Israel in Congress.

Mills has previously introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden over his threat to reduce some military aid to Israel in May.

A Republican Representative from Florida, Anna Paulina Luna, also appeared in Congress, seemingly attempting to get Palestinian US member of Congress Rashida Tlaib to take down her sign that read "War criminal" and "Guilty of genocide."

However, Tlaib continued to hold the sign up throughout the speech.

Another Republican Representative from Texas, Chip Roy, was also among the lawmakers showing support for Netanyahu.

In May, he said that the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Netanyahu on charges of war crimes in Gaza is "completely unacceptable."

Republican Representative Andy Biggs from Arizona was also among the lawmakers giving a standing ovation to Netanyahu.

Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri was also at Congress, and his post on X stated that the US "has no more important ally than Israel."

"Powerful, inspirational words today from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. America has no more important ally than Israel," he posted on X following Netanyahu's speech.

Republican US Senator Ted Cruz from Texas is one of the biggest Israel's allies in the Congress, calling Netanyahu's speech "Churchillian."

"He understands the gravity of the war in Israel, the existential threat to our Israeli allies, and the staggering risks posed to American national security," he said on X.

Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin was also spotted in Congress showing support for Netanyahu.

Republican Representative Byron Donalds of Florida also attended the Congressional session and criticized Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday for skipping Netanyahu’s address.

He said Harris and Democrats "take American Jews for granted."

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican Representative from Georgia, and far-right Republican Lauren Boebert from Colorado, who supports closer ties with Israel for religious reasons, also attended the Congress during Netanyahu’s address.

Matt Gaetz has been serving as a Representative for Florida since 2017. A member of the Republican Party, Gaetz is known for his strong support of far-right politics and is a close ally of former President Donald Trump.

Tim Burchett, a Republican Congressman from Tennessee, believes that Israel is the US' greatest ally.

He argues that as the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel and US share a common commitment to freedom.

Gaetz and Burchett were also seen supporting Netanyahu.