White House condemns anti-Israel protests over Netanyahu speech

The White House on Wednesday night condemned the anti-Israel protests that broke out over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress. 

Thousands of pro-Hamas demonstrators gathered in Washington, D.C., this week to protest the speech, which turned violent and resulted in vandalism and the burning of American flags at Union Station. The protesters also called for the arrest of Netanyahu, who they claimed was a "war criminal." 

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates called the protests "disgraceful" and stated that while "every American" is allowed to protest peacefully in the United States, that was not the case for Wednesday's riots. 

"Identifying with evil terrorist organizations like Hamas, burning the American flag, or forcibly removing the American flag and replacing it with another, is disgraceful," Bates told Fox News. "Antisemitism and violence are never acceptable. Period."

The comment comes after Netanyahu called out the U.S. demonstrations, which broke out on college campuses earlier this year, and claimed that the activities were actually funded by the Iranian government through its proxies.

"I have a message for these protesters. When the tyrants of Tehran, who hang gays from cranes and murder women for not covering their hair, are praising, promoting and funding you, you have officially become Iran's useful idiots," Netanyahu said in his speech. "Some of these protesters hold up signs proclaiming ‘gays for Gaza.’ They might as well hold up signs saying, ‘Chickens for KFC.’"

Congressional lawmakers were divided on the nearly hour-long speech, with some Democrats describing the address as the "worst presentation" of any foreign leader to Congress. 

“Benjamin Netanyahu’s presentation in the House Chamber today was by far the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary invited and honored with the privilege of addressing the Congress of the United States,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote on the social platform X after the speech.

“Many of us who love Israel spent time today listening to Israeli citizens whose families have suffered in the wake of the October 7th Hamas terror attack and kidnappings," she continued. "These families are asking for a ceasefire deal that will bring the hostages home – and we hope the Prime Minister would spend his time achieving that goal."

New York Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler also slammed the speech, claiming he felt that Netanyahu was "dishonest."

“He says he wants peace, but his political interest is to keep the war going as long as possible," Nadler said on MSNBC. "He knows that as soon as the war over he’ll have to face a commission of inquiry [over] why he was telling Qatar to arm Hamas before the election, and why he ignored warnings from the military about the attack on Oct. 7, which they had warnings about a few hours earlier.”

Republicans however largely praised the speech, with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz stating that the speech was reminiscent of Winston Churchill. 

"Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to the joint session of Congress today was Churchillian," Cruz posted to X. "He understands the gravity of the war in Israel, the existential threat to our Israeli allies, and the staggering risks posed to American national security.  The same terrorists who hate Jews also hate Christians. 

"I am proud to stand unequivocally with Israel — they have the right and indeed the obligation to defend their citizens. The US should support Israel as they utterly eradicate Hamas, for as long as it takes."

Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, also a Republican, said that the speech was "incredible" and claimed that it was "one of the most powerful speeches" he had ever seen.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.