B’nai B’rith Commends Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Strong Address Celebrating Strong Alliance Between Israel and U.S.

B’nai B’rith President Seth J. Riklin and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:

We commend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his address today at a joint session of Congress, where he spoke about Israel’s right to defend itself, condemned widespread global anti-Semitism, reaffirmed his confidence that Israel will win the war against Hamas, noted Iran’s role in fomenting global instability and emphasized the strong ties between Israel and the U.S.

It was important for U.S. lawmakers to hear directly from Netanyahu about the current challenges facing Israel, nearly nine months after the barbaric Hamas attack on the sovereign Jewish state.

Netanyahu stressed that the war is not a clash of civilizations, but “a clash between barbarism and civilization. It’s a clash between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life.”

He reminded lawmakers that Hamas breached the Israeli border to kill, maim, rape, and kidnap Israelis, and expressed his hope to demilitarize Gaza and finally end the war. Netanyahu clearly explained how the existential threat to Israel, is in fact, undermining peace in the entire Middle East.

“Our world is in upheaval,” Netanyahu said. “In the Middle East, Iran’s axis of terror confronts America, Israel and our Arab friends.”

The Israeli prime minister told Americans that a victory for Israel is a victory for the U.S. as well: “When Israel acts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons—nuclear weapons that could destroy Israel and threaten every American city; every city that you come from—we’re not only protecting ourselves, we’re protecting you.”

Throughout Netanyahu’s remarks, he emphasized the importance of promoting strong U.S.-Israel bilateral relations and the ironclad bond between our two democratic nations. When Israel fights Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iran-backed terrorist proxies, it is not only protecting itself and the region but also safeguarding America. A more secure Israel means a more secure America and a more peaceful world.

Netanyahu rejected false statements that Israel denies aid to Palestinians and deliberately targets civilians; he emphasized Israel’s efforts to minimize civilian harm.

“Hamas does everything in its power to put Palestinian civilians in harms way,” Netanyahu said. “They fire rockets from schools, from hospitals, from mosques. They even shoot their own people when they try to leave the warzone.”

Netanyahu applauded those IDF soldiers in the audience who risked their lives to defend the State of Israel and acknowledged the plight faced by hostages. Released hostage Noa Argamani was singled out for her ordeal as a hostage and the daring rescue that brought her home. Family members of current hostages American IDF soldier Edan Alexander and the Bibas family, were among those in attendance, along with rescued hostages and their family members, family members of those still being held in Gaza, and relatives who lost loved ones fighting in the IDF.

Netanyahu reaffirmed his intentions to not back down from Hamas: “Israel will not relent. Israel will not bend. We will fight… until we achieve victory of liberty over tyranny.”

We praise those members of Congress who received the prime minister as the leader of one of America’s closest allies.

By articulating the necessity of Israel’s defensive measures in Gaza, Netanyahu highlighted the country’s right to protect its citizens against such cruel, vicious threats.