(IntegrityTimes.com) – Almost 100 of the US government’s interns either walked out of work or called in sick on July 24 to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington. A letter was circulated by the online media company and among interns in the Senate and House, which was signed by interns from both Democratic and Republican offices. The walk-out protest came as Netanyahu prepared for his fourth speech before Congress.
In his address Netanyahu thanked US President Joe Biden for his commitment to Zionism, and told Americans that Israel is protecting them. He also mocked the pro-Palestine protesters that had gathered outside the building, calling them “Iran’s useful idiots”. Netanyahu also commented on the presence of “Gays for Gaza signs” at the protests, saying they made as much sense as “Chickens for KFC”.
The Israeli prime minister also referenced Iranian plots against former President Donald Trump in his speech. The former president shared a clip of Netanyahu’s comments, and declared that if Iran were successful in assassinating him the country should be “wiped off the face of the Earth”. Trump, like Biden, has reiterated his support for Zionism multiple times.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, sent a firmer message to Tel Aviv during Netanyahu’s visit, however, and called for an end to the conflict. Though many families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas agreed with the vice president, Israel’s hard right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, declared that there would be “no truce”.
Israel has faced mounting criticism from protesters at home and abroad, progressive Democrats and foreign diplomats over the amount of civilian casualties in the Gaza conflict. Several Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, boycotted Netanyahu’s speech.
Protesters mounted on the US capital in what was branded a “day of rage” at Israel’s assault on the region, which has resulted in the International Criminal Court calling for the arrests of Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes. Shortly before Netanyahu’s visit, the UN’s highest court – the International Court of Justice – ruled that Israel’s longtime occupation of the Gaza strip is illegal.
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