Netanyahu tells Congress 'we will win' as protesters outside pepper sprayed by police
Capitol police struggled to contain the protesters outside in response to the Israeli PM's visit, ITV News Correspondent John Irvine reports.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared "we will win" to the US Congress as a flurry of protests flooded Washington DC in response to his arrival.
Taking centre stage in the House of Congress Netanyahu was met with near constant applause as he made his speech from both Democrats and Republicans.
He declared: "For the forces of civilisation to triumph, America and Israel must stand together.
"When we stand together something really great happens: we win, they lose."
While Netanyahu made his speech Capitol police struggled to contain the protesters rocking the capital in response to the Israeli PM's visit.
Six people were arrested inside the Capitol building as they attempted to disrupt the speech while protesters outside were pepper sprayed by police.
Members of Congress saved their most prominent applause to many of the guests Netanyahu brought with him, including several soldiers he called "heroes".
There was also deep praise for Noa Argamani, the recently released hostage who was present in the chamber.
Argamani’s kidnapping was filmed by her captors and was later broadcast around the world, making her one of the most prominent hostages.
The Israeli PM also singled out President Joe Biden for his support praising him for being a "proud Irish-American Zionist."
He also briefly discussed what he wants postwar Gaza to look like, something he has avoided doing in detail despite intense political pressure from his allies.
He told Congress he wanted to see a demilitarised Gaza administered by Gazans friendly to Israel and said he had no interest in Israelis settling in the strip, but he made no mention of a Palestinian state.
He didn't find uniform support within the chamber with Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaibholding up a sign that reads: “War Criminal.” The other side reads: “Guilty of Genocide."
A large protest was held on the streets outside the Capitol, calling for peace in Gaza.
Netanyahu blamed Iran for the protests, saying: "For all we know, Iran is funding the anti-Israel protests that are going on right now, outside this building."
He labelled the protesters "Tehran's useful idiots," which received a large cheer from Congress.
On Monday and Tuesday, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Watergate Hotel, where Netanyahu is believed to be staying, banging pots and pans to disrupt his visit.
They also projected an image on the hotel labelling him "wanted," calling for his arrest.
Many different groups were involved, with some Jewish organisations critical of Netanyahu's failure to release the hostages protesting at the same time as pro-Palestinian organisations calling for peace.
Police deployed pepper spray while Netanyahu made his speech as thousands of protesters chanted "Free, Free Palestine."
US Capitol Police said in a post on X that some members of the crowd had become “violent” and had “failed to obey” orders to move back from the police line.
About 400 demonstrators from the pro-Palestinian and anti-zionist group, Jewish Voice for Peace, staged a sit-in protest in the Cannon Building, which houses offices of House of Representatives members.
They wore red t-shirts that read “Not In Our Name" while sitting on the floor of the building's rotunda, holding signs that read "Jews to Biden: Stop arming Israel," and chanting "Let Gaza live!"
After half an hour of clapping and chanting, US Capitol Police officers issued several warnings.
The group claims over 300 protesters including Rabbis were arrested.
“I am the daughter of Holocaust survivors and I know what a Holocaust looks like,” said Jane Hirschmann, from New York, who drove down for the protest with her two daughters — both of whom were arrested.
“When we say ‘Never Again,’ we mean never for anybody.”
Families of some of the remaining hostages held by Hamas held a protest vigil on the National Mall Tuesday evening, urging Netanyahu to negotiate with the Palestinian group and secure the release of about 120 Israeli hostages still in Gaza.
About 150 demonstrators applauded when Biden was mentioned, but several criticised Netanyahu - known by his nickname “Bibi” - for opposing a proposed ceasefire deal that would return the hostages.
Aviva Siegel, 63, who spent 51 days in captivity and whose husband, Keith, remains a hostage. said: "I'm begging Bibi. There's a deal on the table and you have to take it.”
"I want Bibi to look in my eyes and tell me one thing: that Keith is coming home."
Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.
Netanyahu has travelled to the US with the aim to build support for Israel's continued war in Gaza, and discuss increased tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon and other Iranian-allied groups in the region.
He may also address China's new brokered deal between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah to form a government together.
This all comes at a time when support for him in Israel and the war around the world is dwindling.
Joe Biden and Netanyahu are scheduled to meet on Thursday, with Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris set to meet with him separately the same day.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he will meet Netanyahu on Friday.
Want an expert briefing on US politics and the presidential race? Listen to our latest podcast Talking Politics USA...