Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fiery speech to Congress on Wednesday left war critics reeling and Democrats fuming.

The day began with a tense atmosphere on Capitol Hill. Dozens of Democratic lawmakers had already announced their boycott, citing disagreements with Netanyahu’s policies in Gaza. Security was tight as hundreds of anti-Israel protesters gathered outside.

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As Netanyahu took the podium, sporting a yellow pin for Israeli hostages, he wasted no time setting the tone.

“For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together. Because when we stand together, something very simple happens: We win, they lose,” Netanyahu said to a standing ovation.

The Prime Minister’s rhetoric sharpened as he delved into Israel’s defensive war against Hamas.

“Israel will fight until we destroy Hamas’s military capabilities and bring all our hostages home,” Netanyahu thundered. “We will settle for nothing less.”

Netanyahu didn’t shy away from labeling America’s war critics as “useful idiots” for Israel’s enemies. While GOP lawmakers cheered, many Democrats sat in icy silence, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib who held up a sign branding Netanyahu a “war criminal.”

Midway through his speech, drama unfolded in the upper gallery. Freed hostages and families of those still captive rose and displayed t-shirts demanding an end to the war. Security swiftly escorted them out.

As Netanyahu’s hour-long speech came to an end, the protests outside the Capitol descended into violence. Protesters clashed with police near Union Station, defacing statues and swapping American flags for Palestinian ones.

With meetings scheduled with both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in the coming days, it remains to be seen how both leaders with strongly different levels of support for Israel will react to Netanyahu’s historic address.

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