Reuters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sketched a vague outline of a plan for a “deradicalized” post-war Gaza in a speech to Congress on Wednesday (July 24) and touted a potential future alliance between Israel and America’s Arab allies.

 

While dozens of Democrats boycotted his remarks and thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated nearby, Netanyahu dismissed criticism of an Israeli campaign that has devastated the Palestinian enclave and killed more than 39,000 of its residents, according to Gaza health officials.

 

Anti-Israel protesters stand with Hamas and “should be ashamed of themselves,” Netanyahu said, charging without evidence that they were backed by Israel’s foe Iran. “For all we know, Iran is funding the anti-Israel protests that are going on right now outside this building,” he said.

 

Greeted by a standing ovation and cheers from Republicans, and a more subdued reception from Democrats, Netanyahu pledged that hostages would be released soon.

 

Dozens of Democratic lawmakers skipped his speech, expressing dismay over the thousands of civilian deaths and the humanitarian crisis from Israel’s campaign in the Hamas-ruled Palestinian enclave of Gaza.