Israeli PM Netanyahu's Speech At The US Congress Was Welcomed By Demonstrations

Capitol Hill, Washington DC, United States/UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION/Adam Michael Szuscik

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was greeted by demonstrations during his speech at the United States Congress (US) for the fourth time.

Netanyahu will speak at a joint Senate and House of Representatives meeting at 14.00 local time. Wednesday, July 24.

As reported by Reuters, Netanyahu's speech is expected to focus on coordinating Israel and the US response to the volatile situation in the Middle East, where there is a danger of Gaza's war that will spread into a wider regional conflict.

The Israeli PM is also expected to use his speech to call for stronger action against Iran, which supports Lebanese Hamas and Hezbollah fighters and has drawn US criticism of its recent nuclear progress.

Although Netanyahu's visit was governed by Republican leaders in Congress, the visit likely would not be too confrontational compared to 2015, when Republicans ruled out President Barack Obama and invited Netanyahu to Congress to criticize the Democratic Party's policies in Iran.

This time, Netanyahu will seek to strengthen his old relationship with Republicans but also seek to ease tensions with Biden, which he will rely on for the remaining six months of the president's term.

He also had to contact US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is sometimes more vocal than his boss in criticizing Israel for the large number of Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza.

Activists promised to hold mass protests, and the Capitol building surrounded by high fences and additional police. Dozens of roads in Washington were also closed on Wednesday.