Israel’s fight is civilisation’s fight, Netanyahu tells Congress

In a powerful address to the US Congress this week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored the existential and moral dimensions of Israel’s ongoing struggle against Hamas, framing it as a battle between civilization and barbarism.

Netanyahu poignantly compared the attacks of October 7, 2023, to historical moments of infamy such as December 7, 1941, and September 11, 2001, emphasizing the unprecedented brutality of the Hamas assault.

“Three thousand Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel. They butchered 1,200 people from 41 countries, including 39 Americans. Proportionately, compared to our population size, that’s like 20 9/11s in one day,” he recounted.

This stark comparison highlights the scale and severity of the attack, reinforcing the urgency and legitimacy of Israel’s response.

The Prime Minister’s speech drew a clear line between the forces of civilization and those of barbarism.

“This is not a clash of civilizations. It’s a clash between barbarism and civilization. It’s a clash between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life,” Netanyahu declared.

Netanyahu also highlighted the international dimension of the threat posed by Hamas and its backers in Tehran.

“Iran’s regime has been fighting America from the moment it came to power… They see America as their greatest enemy,” he stated.

This underscores the broader implications of the conflict, as a victory for Israel is also a victory for the values and security of the democratic world.

The proposed “Abraham Alliance,” a security coalition of nations in peace with Israel brokered under the Trump administration, aims to counter Iranian aggression and foster stability in the region, reflecting a proactive and cooperative approach to global security.

A particularly impactful moment in Netanyahu’s speech was his condemnation of anti-Israel protesters who fail to grasp the gravity of the situation.

“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,” he remarked.

This stark denunciation serves as a reminder of the dangerous naivety or complicity of those who align with Hamas, intentionally or not.

His quip, “Some of these protesters hold up signs proclaiming ‘Gays for Gaza.’ They might as well hold up signs saying ‘Chickens for KFC,’” further underscores the absurdity of supporting a regime that stands against the very values these protesters claim to uphold.

The Prime Minister also defended the ethical conduct of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the face of relentless provocation and misinformation.

“For Israel, every civilian death is a tragedy. For Hamas, it’s a strategy,” Netanyahu explained, highlighting the IDF’s efforts to minimise civilian casualties despite Hamas’s use of human shields.

Netanyahu’s speech articulated a compelling case for why Israel’s fight is indeed civilization’s fight. It is a battle to defend life, uphold justice, and protect democratic values against forces of terror and barbarism.

As Netanyahu aptly put it, “Our enemies are your enemies, our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory.”

Family First agrees.

Lyle Shelton is National Director of the Family First Party. He started his career as a rural journalist before being elected as a member of the Toowoomba City Council and serving the Australian Christian Lobby for 10 years, half of that decade as ACL's Managing Director. He was a Director and spokesman for the Coalition for Marriage during the 2017 postal survey campaign which resulted in the legal undefinition of marriage. He also blogs here.