Title: Netanyahu Compares Oct. 7 to Pearl Harbor, Criticizes Protesters in Address to Congress
Jerusalem – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sparked controversy on Thursday, as he compared the recent Palestinian protests to the 1941 surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and criticized those who took to the streets to express their opposition to his government’s policies.
In an address to a joint session of the US Congress, Netanyahu used the term “treacherous” to describe the protests that erupted in response to the government’s decision to deny Jerusalem’s status as Israel’s capital and relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the city. The move has been met with widespread opposition from both Palestinians and the international community.
“Pearl Harbor was a day that will live in infamy, but I believe that October 7, 2015, will be a day that will be remembered for generations to come as a day of treachery,” Netanyahu said, drawing a comparison between the attacks on Pearl Harbor and the Palestinian protests. “For the first time in decades, the Arab world has decided to go on the offensive against Israel, and the consequences of this new policy will be severe.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks were met with outrage from Palestinian officials, who accused him of making false and inflammatory claims. “Netanyahu’s comparison is baseless and provocative,” said Nabil Abu Rudeina, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority. “He is trying to use the memory of Pearl Harbor to justify his government’s brutal actions against the Palestinian people.”
The protests in question began on October 7, the day the Israeli military clashed with Palestinian protesters in several parts of the West Bank. At least four Palestinians were killed, and many more were injured, during the confrontations. The protests were sparked by the Israeli government’s decision to impose strict new regulations on the West Bank, including a ban on any future Palestinian development in Area C, the 60% of the territory that is under Israeli military control.
The international community has widely condemned the Israeli government’s actions, and several countries have announced plans to boycott Israeli goods and services in response to the government’s policies. The United States has been one of the few countries to offer strong support for the Israeli government, and President Barack Obama has repeatedly defended Netanyahu’s policies.
In his address to Congress, Netanyahu praised the US government’s decision to relocate the embassy, calling it a “historic decision” that will strengthen the bonds between the two countries. He also accused Palestinian leaders of “inciting terrorism” and urged them to take a “credible path towards peace.”
The Prime Minister’s comments were met with applause from some lawmakers, but others were more critical. “While we appreciate Israel’s democratic system and its commitment to defending itself, we cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Palestinian people,” said Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). “We must continue to push for a peaceful resolution to this conflict and ensure that both sides are held accountable for their actions.”
Netanyahu’s speech comes at a sensitive time for both the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships. The Palestinian Authority has announced plans to seek international recognition for an independent Palestinian state, and the Israeli government is considering further settlement expansion in the West Bank. The situation is fraught with tension, and the potential for further violence and escalation is growing.
As the world watches with concern, one thing is clear: the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be shaped by the decisions made in the coming weeks and months. The Prime Minister’s inflammatory remarks only serve to increase the sense of unease and uncertainty that pervades the region.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna163260