Protests as Netanyahu addresses Congress

Benjamin Netanyahu praised US support for Israel's war in Gaza but offered few details on ceasefire negotiations with Hamas last night as he addressed a raucous joint session of US Congress that drew thousands of protesters on to the streets outside the US Capitol.

- Andrew Roth and Robert Tait

In a fiery speech in the House chamber, Netanyahu called for "total victory" in the war, dashing hopes that he would announce progress towards a ceasefire and the return of Israeli hostages before meeting Joe Biden at the White House today.

"We're not only protecting ourselves. We're protecting you... Our enemies are your enemy, our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory," Netanyahu shouted.

Dozens of Democratic members of Congress, including the former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, boycotted the speech over humanitarian concerns about how Israel has prosecuted the war in Gaza, which has left an estimated 39,000 Palestinian civilians dead. Pelosi, in remarks to Politico before the speech, said it was "inappropriate" for the Israeli leader to be invited and that she had "no sense of Netanyahu's interest in peace."

Senator Bernie Sanders, who also boycotted the speech, said "it will be the first time in American history that a war criminal has been given that honour". The international criminal court, to which the US is not a partner, has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Netanyahu brushed those humanitarian concerns aside, calling for "total victory" and issuing an appeal for the US to fast-track military aid to Israel: "Give us the tools and we'll get the job done faster." He thanked President Biden for his "heartfelt support for Israel".