Netanyahu address in Congress: The Israeli leader's fiery speech on the biggest stage was a political risk

Benjamin Netanyahu preached about unity but his presence in Washington stirred a firestorm, exposing deep division amongst Democrats and providing an awkward and delicate test for a party desperately trying to look like they agree with each other.

The speech from Israel’s leader was fiery, combative and showed little sign of any shift in policy.

Speaking to frequent applause in the chamber, he vowed “total victory in Gaza“, warned about the threat from Iran and managed to denounce US protesters in the same breath as calling on America to speed up its military support.

It was a confident, unapologetic performance with no concessions.

Netanyahu wants to reshape his image internationally and the US took the political risk of giving him their biggest stage to perform on at a deeply turbulent time in the country.

Netanyahu did reward both sides with some gratitude – thanking President Joe Biden for his support – a shift from one month ago when he accused the US of withholding arms shipments.

But for Donald Trump there was arguably more – lavish praise and thanks for “all he’s done for Israel”.

Netanyahu is said to be working hard behind the scenes to get their relationship back on track.

His platitudes proof of his political cunning – well aware he doesn’t know what party he might be asking for help in four months’ time.

There was a stony silence from some Democrats in the chamber and 40 members who couldn’t bring themselves to attend.

It was the Republicans who pushed for the visit in the first place, keen perhaps to expose and exploit the ideological arguments raging in their opponents.

Progressive Democrats have long been angered by America’s support for the war in Gaza – some Republicans hoped this visit would test just how willing they were to shun an important ally because of it.

Outside, thousands took to the streets, some clashing with police, decrying the man they call a “war criminal”.

But there were no attempts at outreach, the Israeli leader called them “useful idiots” for Israel’s adversaries and supporting those he said had killed babies in the attacks of 7 October.

This speech was about far more than America. It was a play to those back home too.

Netanyahu’s popularity has plummeted in Israel and getting an hour to address the world, enabled him to cast himself as a statesmen, embraced by Washington.

Strikingly, there was little mention of the US efforts to negotiate an end to the fighting and release the surviving hostages.

That’s a sobering reality check for the many senior Democrats who’ve spent months pushing for change.

Despite the lack of any concrete promises though, soon after the speech ended, a senior US official said negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire are in their “closing stages”.

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