ISRAELI Prime Minister BENJAMIN Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of the US Congress on Wednesday was a shameful spectacle. Here, a man accused of overseeing the murder of over 39,000 Palestinians in Gaza, was receiving a rapturous applause from the representatives of the American people, though many Democrats stayed away from this macabre performance. Democratic lawmaker Rashida Tlaib’s presence in the chamber, wearing a keffiyeh and holding aloft a sign that read ‘war criminal’, was an act of incredible courage. Meanwhile, just outside, thousands of ordinary Americans were denouncing the fact that such a divisive character had been invited to the hallowed halls of Congress. Even many prominent American Jewish organisations opposed his invitation to address the lawmakers. Unfortunately, even in established democracies, the power and influence of vested interests — in this case the pro-Israel lobby in Washington — can steamroll the will of ordinary citizens. As for the contents of Mr Netanyahu’s speech, it was, to use a colloquialism, the same old shtick. The key points were a promise to achieve “total victory”, demonisation of Iran and its ‘axis of terror’, and a request for more US aid so that he could “finish the job faster”. Considering the Israeli leader’s bloodstained record, ‘finishing’ the job can be construed as the total depopulation of Gaza. Then there were blatant untruths, such as the absurd claim that Israel was meticulously trying not to harm civilians. Are we to assume that 39,000 dead Palestinians, including children, were all Hamas operatives?

The Israeli leader’s speech illustrates the sad fact that though many Americans oppose what is being done in their name, where support for Israel is concerned, most of their political establishment is in thrall to Tel Aviv. And in an election year, both major US parties will look to flaunt their Zionist credentials to secure the blessings of deep-pocketed pro-Israel and evangelical groups; for many of the latter, this is a religious war that must be won at any cost. Israel knows that regardless of the party that wins the presidency in November, America’s ‘ironclad’ support for its genocidal endeavours will continue. Perhaps that is why Mr Netanyahu has yet to commit to a long-lasting ceasefire. He knows that he can continue the slaughter in Gaza by counting on his powerful Western friends to protect him from global outrage.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2024