Netanyahu's Washington visit triggers protests and criticism

Protesters demanding the U.S. stop military aid to Israel hoisted Palestinian flags and burned American ones outside Washington, D.C.'s Union Station in demonstrations against a visit on Wednesday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Less than a mile away, police used pepper spray on some of the thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters who gathered outside the U.S. Capitol while Netanyahu spoke to Congress.

Netanyahu's visit to American capital this week has been greeted with angry protests, mixed reactions from Democratic lawmakers, and a lukewarm reception from the U.S. media amid extreme political instability in the country.

Though highly anticipated, the Israeli PM's first international trip since the Gaza conflict erupted in October was overshadowed by the attempted assassination of Republican nominee Donald Trump on July 13 and President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race a week later, with the fallout of both events dominating the U.S. news cycles in recent days.

In the meantime, Israel's military conduct in Gaza has drawn growing criticism from young and progressive Americans, causing student clashes on university campuses and sowing division among Democratic members of Congress. It has also strained Netanyahu's relations with the Biden administration, despite the latter's support for Israel's war.

Netanyahu pledged in a scathing speech to achieve "total victory" against Hamas and denounced American opponents of the war in Gaza as "idiots," taking a combative stance in a visit the Biden administration hoped would yield progress in negotiations to end the fighting, AP reported.

Speaking for nearly an hour to frequent applause from U.S. lawmakers, as well as stony silence from many leading Democrats, Netanyahu said the U.S. has a shared interest in his country's fight against Hamas and other Iran-backed armed groups.

"America and Israel must stand together. When we stand together, something really simple happens: We win, they lose," said Netanyahu, who wore a yellow pin expressing solidarity with the Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

But the Israeli leader soon pivoted to a darker tone as he derided those protesting the war on college campuses and elsewhere in the U.S., gesturing to demonstrations happening on the streets outside the Capitol. He called the protesters "useful idiots" for Israel's adversaries, the AP report added.

Netanyahu made no mention of the U.S.-led mediation for a ceasefire. His remarks did not appear to close the door on a deal, but showed no sign he was eager for one. "Israel will fight until we destroy Hamas's military capabilities and its rule in Gaza, and bring all our hostages home," he said. "That's what total victory means. And we will settle for nothing less."

He also laid out a vague vision for post-conflict Gaza during his speech. "The day after we defeat Hamas, a new Gaza could emerge," Netanyahu said. "My vision for that day is of a demilitarized and deradicalized Gaza."

"Israel does not seek to resettle Gaza. But for the foreseeable future, we must retain overriding security control there to prevent the resurgence of terror, to ensure Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel," he told the joint meeting of the Congress.

"A new generation of Palestinians must no longer be taught to hate Jews, but rather to live in peace with us," he added.

Netanyahu is set to visit the White House on Thursday for a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and likely Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at an important moment for all three politicians.

The Israeli PM's visit has sparked significant backlash. Hamas on Wednesday said Netanyahu's speech to the U.S. Congress about intensified efforts to return the hostages is "a complete lie, and misleading Israeli, American and international public opinion."

Netanyahu is "the one who thwarted all efforts aimed at ending the war and concluding a deal to release the prisoners," despite the continuous efforts of mediators in Egypt and Qatar, and despite the flexibility and positivity that he showed, Hamas said in a statement.

Netanyahu's perceptions about the future of the Gaza Strip are "pure delusions and fantasies," Hamas said, noting that the "Palestinian people are the only ones who have the right to determine their fate and determine who will rule them."

In the statement, Hamas accused Washington of continuing to provide all means of political and military support to Israel and giving the Israeli government the necessary cover to escape punishment.

Netanyahu's speech is bound to disappoint the families of the hostages and those hoping for a temporary ceasefire agreement, said Niu Xinchun, executive director of the China-Arab Research Institute of Ningxia University, in an interview with China Media Group.

From the onset of the conflict, Netanyahu has articulated two primary objectives: the complete eradication of Hamas and the rescue of all hostages. Many view these goals as contradictory. It is implausible for Israel to eliminate Hamas entirely while ensuring that the hostages held by Hamas are returned safely, Niu said. 

Netanyahu must compromise on these two objectives, Niu continued, but his public insistence on both makes the likelihood of reaching a temporary ceasefire agreement even smaller.

Netanyahu's repeated public insistence on eliminating Hamas suggests that he may not truly seek an agreement, as doing so could potentially bring down his cabinet. He appears to be prioritizing his political survival over Israel's national interests, Niu added.

As the conflict in Gaza enters its 10th month, at least 39,090 Palestinians have been killed and 90,147 others injured. Israel and Hamas have failed to reach a complete ceasefire agreement and a hostage release deal after multiple rounds of negotiations.

(With input from agencies)