Supply: Albany Instances Union/Hearst Newspapers / Getty
Rocker Dave Matthews joined the pro-Palestinian protests of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he spoke earlier than Congress in Washington D.C.
On Wednesday (July 24), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech earlier than a joint session of members of Congress on the U.S. Capitol. His look was denounced by a large crowd protesting the therapy of the Palestinian folks through the struggle in Gaza. They had been joined by one notable determine – musician Dave Matthews. He spoke to a reporter from Al-Jazeera through the protests. “I simply suppose it’s horrible when the vast majority of the world is this man and what he’s doing in Gaza after which additionally what he’s overseeing within the West Financial institution and East Jerusalem [and] we’re welcoming [him] into the so-called sacred halls of our authorities,” he started.
“This has been an ongoing battle for those that simply need to have dignity and be capable of reside unbiased lives and dream of a greater future,” he continued. “And this man is the top of the impediment towards that freedom and that we’ve [him] visiting the nation is obscene. It’s a disgusting present of assist for somebody that doesn’t deserve our assist.” The “Crash Into Me” singer concluded: “I’m ashamed that my tax {dollars} are going to the brutalizing of a whole folks. It’s shameful. And I’m ashamed that our authorities is welcoming him right here.”
Netanyahu’s speech was controversial for a number of causes. Whereas he praised President Joe Biden initially, he quickly turned to heap reward on former President Donald Trump “for all he’s carried out for Israel.” Netanyahu has lengthy been a supporter of Republican and conservative causes. He additionally made no direct point out of ongoing efforts led by the U.S. to acquire a ceasefire with the Hamas group and the discharge of a whole bunch of Israeli hostages or that he’d be keen to agree. Netanyahu additionally denounced the protests on faculty campuses towards him, calling these concerned “Iran’s helpful idiots.” He additionally confronted opposition from a lot of the Democrats, with Michigan consultant and Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib holding up an indication studying “Battle Legal” all through his speech.
Netanyahu is at the moment dealing with arrest warrants by the Worldwide Legal Courtroom for alleged struggle crimes towards the Palestinians through the battle, which started on Oct. 7, 2023, with over 1,200 Israelis and 39,000 Palestinians killed along with different overseas nationals working with the United Nations and Chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen.
