Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in the US in his first trip abroad since Israel launched its genocidal assault on Gaza, which, according to a new International Court of Justice finding, it already occupied through “effective control” in a land, air and sea blockade, along with restrictions on Palestinians in Gaza’s movement, construction, resources, water, electricity and documents.
In the US, Netanyahu is facing a number of protests and condemnation. That includes one from Jewish Voice for Peace in Congress:
BREAKING: 400 American Jews mark Netanyahu’s arrival by refusing to leave Congress until our government listens to the will of the people and STOPS ARMING ISRAEL! pic.twitter.com/WElpHLMHjn
— Jewish Voice for Peace (@jvplive) July 23, 2024
In response, Republican representative Mike Lawler questioned whether the protestors were Jewish. But Jewish Voice for Peace political director Beth Miller called him a “far right racist” for suggesting Jewish people must be loyal to Israel. She continued:
We’re proudly Jewish. We’re proudly Jewish and opposing Israel’s genocide in Gaza. We’re proudly Jewish and demanding Biden and Congress stop funding the slaughter of Palestinians. We’re proudly Jewish and calling for Palestinian freedom.
In another protest, anti-genocide citizens projected a ‘wanted’ sign for Netanyahu on the Watergate hotel in Washington, where he is staying:
Netanyahu is a war criminal! We are making sure the world knows he is not welcomed here! pic.twitter.com/nrEEXjMpxV
— Medea Benjamin (@medeabenjamin) July 24, 2024
US lawmakers avoid Netanyahu speech and condemn him
Democrat congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also denounced Netanyahu as a “war criminal”:
It is a dark day in US history when an authoritarian with warrant requests from the International Criminal Court is allowed to address a joint session of Congress.
40k Palestinians are dead.
Hostages aren’t home.
Netanyahu is a war criminal.
I will be boycotting his address.— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 23, 2024
Although, Ocasio-Cortez received criticism for her outright support of Kamala Harris, who is set to replace Biden as the Democrat nominee after he dropped out of the US presidential race. Harris is staunchly pro-Israel to the point where she compared supporting Israel to the US civil rights movement. She is committed to continuing providing Israel with $3.8bn in military aid every year. And she supports Israel’s illegal expansion into Palestinian land, co-sponsoring legislation aimed at undermining a UN resolution condemning it.
Palestinian American congresswoman Rashida Tlaib joined the chorus calling out Netanyahu as a “war criminal committing genocide”:
Netanyahu is a war criminal committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is utterly disgraceful that leaders from both parties have invited him to address Congress. He should be arrested and sent to the International Criminal Court.
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) July 23, 2024
At least 52 other US legislators have refused to attend Netanyahu’s joint address to Congress on Wednesday afternoon.
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez said allowing Netanyahu to speak in Congress was an obstruction to peace:
Tomorrow, Congress will host an International Court-accused war criminal. We cannot work towards peace while giving Netanyahu the floor.
We must listen to the American people and subject matter experts, like Major Harrison Mann, and demand an end to the atrocities.
Not one… pic.twitter.com/2sFt7WWcfJ
— Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (@repdeliaramirez) July 23, 2024
Congressman Jamaal Bowman said he was “disgusted” at the address:
Netanyahu should be arrested—not honored in Congress.
Like many of you, I am disgusted.
There is no amount of money that can stop us from fighting for everyone’s human rights. Read our op-Ed on it here
https://t.co/IYjTTn4OKn pic.twitter.com/meGi1woQ6Q
— Rep. Jamaal Bowman Ed.D. (@JamaalBowmanNY) July 24, 2024
End the genocide.
Featured image via FOX 7 Austin – YouTube and Jewish Voice for Peace – X
By James Wright
