What does Netanyahu's speech to US Congress portend?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his fourth address to the US Congress on Wednesday. He defended Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip and promised to defeat Hamas. Israel is doing all it can to protect civilians but Hamas puts them in harm's way, he said. Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi sharply criticised the speech. Europe's commentators are also dissatisfied.
Fiery words, little substance
Israel's prime minister failed to convince the US Congress, The Economist comments:
“The address lacked policy details or a strategy, beyond 'total victory'. Mr Netanyahu said that after the war Gaza would need to be 'demilitarised and deradicalised' and governed by 'a civilian administration run by Palestinians who do not want to destroy Israel'. He gave no hint as to how to achieve that. ... Mr Netanyahu's flamboyant oratory is unlikely to change Mr Biden's foreign policy in the few months he has left as president. ... For the prime minister the spectacle was more important than any policy substance.”
Increasingly alienated
The fact that a number of Democratic representatives and senators boycotted the speech should be a wake-up call for Israel, Welt writes:
“In his many years as PM, Netanyahu has contributed significantly to alienating the US Democrats from Israel. This began towards the end of Obama's term in office, when he duped the first black US president and had himself invited to Congress against the president's will. His settlement policy, his soft spot for Donald Trump, his attacks on the rule of law and his cabinet full of right-wing extremists also make Netanyahu a tough sell. ... With his policies, Netanyahu has lost a lot of credibility and goodwill, even among Israel's allies.”