Netanyahu urges new 'Abraham Alliance' to combat Iranian threat
7:56 AM EDT, July 25, 2024
The Iranian "axis of terror" threatens the civilized world; the USA and Israel must jointly oppose it. Therefore, they should form a new anti-Iranian alliance, declared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech before the American Congress on Wednesday. "Our victory will be your victory," he declared.
Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, ensuring that it will continue until victory, which means the destruction of Hamas's military capabilities and the release of hostages. He also condemned the war protesters, calling them Tehran's "useful idiots." He emphasized the importance of the American-Israeli alliance and thanked the current president, Joe Biden, and his predecessor, Donald Trump.
Dozens of Democratic lawmakers boycotted Netanyahu’s fourth address to the joint houses of the American Congress. The Israeli Prime Minister’s speech was accompanied by several thousand demonstrators outside the building, holding banners reading "war criminal" and "genocidal prime minister." There were clashes with the police, who used tear gas. Netanyahu's speech was intermittently interrupted with applause and standing ovations, but there were also boos.
The Israeli Prime Minister began his speech by identifying Iran as the main threat to the USA, Israel, and Arab states. "This is not a clash of civilizations. It's a clash between barbarism and civilization," he said. He emphasized that the USA and Israel must jointly oppose Tehran.
Netanyahu pointed out that Iran's main target is the USA as the "guardian of Western civilization," not Israel. However, for now, it is Israel that stands in Tehran's way.
"When we fight Iran, we're fighting the most radical and murderous enemy of the United States of America. We're not only protecting ourselves. We're protecting you… Our enemies are your enemy, our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory," he emphasized.
The Israeli Prime Minister also called for the formation of an alliance opposing the Iranian threat, involving the USA, Israel, and Arab states that have normalized their relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords.
"I have a name for this new alliance. I think we should call it the Abraham Alliance," added Netanyahu.
The future of the Gaza Strip
The Israeli politician, speaking about the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, compared it to the attack on Pearl Harbor and the attacks of September 11, 2001. The Hamas invasion of southern Israel resulted in almost 1,200 deaths and 251 kidnapped to the Gaza Strip. The attack began the war, which continues to this day. Since the beginning of the war, 39,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities.
Regarding the post-war future of the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu announced that the territory should be governed by a "civil Palestinian administration." Still, a process of "demilitarization and deradicalization" must occur. He added that Israel does not intend to organize a resettlement in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas responds to Netanyahu's speech
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech before the US Congress was full of lies and shows that he does not want a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, said a senior official of this terrorist organization, with which Israel has been waging war in Gaza for over nine months.
"Netanyahu's speech was full of lies and it will not succeed in covering up for the failure and defeat in the face of the resistance to cover up for the crimes of the war of genocide his army is committing against the people of Gaza," said Sami Abu Zuhri to Reuters.