By Illinois Review
On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington and reiterated his support for Israel – one of America’s strongest allies, as the prime minister was in town to address a joint session of Congress as hundreds of pro-Palastenian protesters burned the American flag and destroyed public property just blocks from the U.S. Capitol where Netanyahu was delivering his speech.
Nearly 100 Democratic lawmakers boycotted the speech, including Vice President Kamala Harris – who chose to fill her schedule with other events instead, as scenes of rioters and protesters went viral on social media burning the American flag and spray painting words on public property that included, “F**k America,” “Hamas is Coming” and “Kill them all.” And inside the House chamber, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich) – who just endorsed Harris for president, held up signs that read, “War Criminal” and “Guilty of Genocide” during Netanyahu’s speech.
LaHood, who’s district covers central and northwestern parts of Illinois, and was in attendance for the prime minister’s address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, said in a statement shared exclusively with this publication,
“I was honored to welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington yesterday. As our strongest ally in the Middle East and the only democracy in the region, we must stand with Israel as they defend themselves from Hamas terrorists and work to return every hostage The decision by Vice President Kamala Harris not to preside over the Joint Session and the boycott of the address by numerous Democrat members of the Illinois delegation disrespects the institution of Congress, undermines America’s global leadership, appeases our adversaries, and weakens one of our strongest alliances.”
The congressman concluded with,
“I will continue to stand with Israel and work to return every hostage, and put an end to Hamas terrorism and other Iranian-backed proxies.”
Eight Americans are still being held hostage by Hamas since October 7th, when Hamas terrorists killed more than 1,200 innocent civilians in Israel, and captured hundreds of hostages, including U.S. citizens. During his address, Netanyahu defended the war with Hamas – calling them “barbarians,” who use women and children as human shields, and launch rockets and mortars from hospitals and schools.
Netanyahu even addressed the protesters, as thousands marched outside and around the U.S. Capitol complex during his visit.
“Incredibly, many anti-Israel protesters, many choose to stand with evil. They stand with Hamas. They stand with rapists and murderers.”
He then concluded with,
“You have officially become Iran’s useful idiots.”
Rep. LaHood didn’t mince words either, sharing with IR,
“The vile antisemitic and anti-American actions taken by rioters near the U.S. Capitol yesterday has no place in our country and I condemn the terrorist sympathizers who burned the American flag in the strongest possible terms.”
Late on Wednesday evening, just hours after Netanyahu’s speech, House Speaker Mike Johnson and several House Republicans met at Union Station to replace the American flag that was taken down earlier in the day and burned by pro-Palestenian protesters. In a post on X, the Speaker wrote,
“Last night, @RepWilliams led a group of us to Union Station, where we restored the American flag to its rightful place. We will never allow pro-terrorist mobs to intimidate us.”
Earlier on Thursday, Netanyahu met with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office. On Friday, he’ll travel to Palm Beach, Florida and meet with former President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
