Image Source: CNN
Tel Aviv – After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fourth address to the United States Congress, US Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a televised speech expressing “serious concern” over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She emphasised the immense suffering endured by Palestinians, including the mass killings of innocent civilians and the millions facing extreme food insecurity.
“What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is devastating. The images of dead children and desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third, or fourth time, are heart-wrenching. We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering, and I will not be silent.”
In her address, Harris announced that a ceasefire and hostage deal are on the table. The first phase of the agreement would involve a ceasefire and the withdrawal of the Israeli military from population centres in Gaza. The second phase would see a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army, which she believes would lead to a permanent end to hostilities.
“It is time for this war to end and end in a way where Israel is secure, all the hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to freedom, dignity, and self-determination. There has been hopeful movement in the talks to secure an agreement on this deal, and as I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu, it is time to get this deal done.”
“So to everyone who has been calling for a ceasefire and to everyone who yearns for peace, I see you, and I hear you. Let’s get the deal done so we can get a ceasefire to end the war. Let’s bring the hostages home, and let’s provide much-needed relief to the Palestinian people.”
However, Haaretz columnist Gideon Levy argued that the Americans could have ended the war long ago by ceasing their supply of arms and ammunition to Israel. He believes that a more decisive stance from the Americans could have ended the suffering of millions.
“I have no doubts that President Biden had good intentions, and he really wanted this bloodbath to come to an end, but he was not courageous enough to take measures. As long as you don’t take measures against Israel, it’s hollow, it’s lip service, it’s nothing. Therefore, I don’t see the war coming to its end soon.”
Criticism of Netanyahu’s speech
Netanyahu’s address to the US Congress faced extensive criticism and backlash from analysts, observers, and pro-Palestinian groups for his misleading, untruthful, and inflammatory statements about Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Netanyahu claimed that thousands of trucks have entered Gaza. However, numerous aid organisations, eyewitnesses, and medical professionals report that Gaza is on the brink of widespread famine, with Palestinians suffering from starvation and malnutrition.
He also asserted that the Israeli Occupation Forces are working hard to minimise civilian casualties by issuing warnings through leaflets, phone calls, and messages. However, video footage, testimonies, media outlets, and aid organisations consistently warn that there are no longer any safe places within the enclave.
Many of Netanyahu’s statements appeared to be an attempt to garner more support for Israel from the US government, covering up multiple war crimes, massacres, forced starvation, and the targeting of children and civilians by the IOF. Levy noted that Netanyahu’s entire address was filled with lies.
Most concerning, however, was how the US Congress cheered and applauded him as he spoke, with a few exceptions like Representative Rashida Tlaib, who openly boycotted and some Democrats who did not attend. Levy stated that it was shameful how enthusiastically the US Congress cheered for Netanyahu despite his notorious international reputation and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
“I was not so much disgusted by Netanyahu as I was by the American Congress. This was shameful. Whom did they cheer, and whom did they applaud? Netanyahu can barely visit another country in the world today.”
“He will very soon receive arrest orders by the International Criminal Court. They applauded someone who is suspected of so many crimes of war. What did you cheer about? The killing of 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza? It was unbelievable.”
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Netanyahu’s True Vision for Gaza
One of the key points of Netanyahu’s address was his vision for a “deradicalised and demilitarised” post-war Gaza Strip. Levy criticised this post-war vision, describing it as hollow and colonialist.
He argued that Netanyahu’s vision is disconnected from reality, ignoring the systemic injustices faced by Palestinians and failing to address the need for equality. Levy emphasised that this proposal overlooks the root causes of the conflict and does not offer a genuine path to peace.
Furthermore, he stated that despite Netanyahu’s claims of wanting to live in peace with the Palestinians, to help them develop, and not to resettle the enclave, his true aim is to destroy Gaza.
“Is he ready to give the Palestinians equal rights like the Jews? He doesn’t even dream to do it. He wants them to love us and to live under us. He wants them to sit in peace under the brutal Israeli boots and obey Israeli orders. Therefore, all of his visions are just a masquerade of lies.”
