Anti-Israel protesters defend Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a compelling case for Israel in his speech to Congress on Wednesday, but his message was conveyed much more clearly by the scene outside Union Station.

Netanyahu’s mission to Congress was not to lay out specific plans for the aftermath of Israel’s military offensive against Hamas, or to announce a deal on the hostage-taking. Rather, he came to remind America why Israel is a bipartisan issue and, ultimately, an American issue. “If you take one thing away from this speech, remember this: Our enemies are your enemies, our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory,” he told lawmakers.

Bibi is not doing kumbaya. While he expresses Israel’s gratitude for the support of President Joe Biden and both sides of Congress, the power of his message lies in the fact that he clearly and forcefully defends his country and its actions, speaks proudly of Israel while articulating the values ​​that have guided its response to the utter depravity of its enemies, and illustrates beyond reasonable doubt that “this is not a clash of civilizations (but) … a clash between barbarism and civilization … between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life.” He has come to try to change the narrative of Israel’s war and help America see through the lies peddled by the Jewish state’s many enemies.

It has been hard work. In addition to the visceral negativity and anger it has stirred in many, the Gaza war has generated and activated masses of haters who are spreading their lies about Israel more often and more effectively than ever before, making it all the more difficult for members of Congress to maintain both the clarity and courage to stand with Israel and leading 20 percent of them to skip Netanyahu’s speech.

And yet, despite all this, the mood in the packed hall was overwhelmingly positive and the content of the message resonated deeply, generating warmth through its clarity and causing the vast majority of those present to applaud wildly. Tears streamed down our cheeks as we stood in that vaunted hall as Jews, a people who live alone, feeling supported and admired by the world’s greatest superpower and feeling part of a common struggle.

This message was conveyed much more effectively by what we saw as we left the building.

The seat of the American government in Washington is magnificent, with majestic buildings and beautiful gardens. Like so many others, I have always found the walk from the Capitol to Union Station exhilarating and refreshing, even in the humidity of the neighborhood.

Not yesterday.

I knew something was wrong when my senatorial host’s office insisted that two of the men who worked in the office accompany me to the police station. The streets were filled with a surprising number of heavily armed police officers, wearing riot gear, helmets, and gas masks. Was this Washington, D.C., or a war zone?

Thousands of anti-Israel protesters gathered outside Union Station, celebrating the Hamas murderers, defacing Columbus Circle and desecrating the American flag. Bibi called them “Iran’s useful idiots,” but that vastly understates the horrifying atmosphere created by this mass of people glorifying death and denigrating America.

I hope they don't immediately clean up the Columbus Circle monument. In our tradition, since the Temple was destroyed, we must leave in each of our homes a prominent scar of imperfection, or Zecher l'Churbanlike a missing tile or an unpainted square of drywall staring us in the face and reminding us of what we are missing.

If this death cult continues to be glorified on American streets and campuses, Washington should not look perfect. Let the torn American flags, the red paint and the inverted triangles welcoming Hamas speak volumes and resonate longer, louder and with less political static than Netanyahu’s speech. Let these images make clear to all proud and loyal citizens that support for Israel is far more important than this war and that this war is not just against Hamas but against tyranny, death and evil.

That short march from the Capitol to Union Station, usually inspiring, was both menacing and enlightening. Its message was identical to the one we had just heard in Congress: Israel is a bipartisan issue, an American issue.

If anyone remembers one thing from this march, they will remember this: our enemies are your enemies, our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory.

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Rabbi Moshe Hauer is the executive vice president of the Orthodox Union.