JOINT SESSION: In wartime address to Congress, Netanyahu gives ‘masterclass in global diplomacy,’ most powerful speech of his career – 55 standing ovations

WASHINGTON, DC — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu delivered a one-hour address to a Joint Session of Congress this afternoon, drawing no fewer than 55 standing ovations, the most of any such speaker in Congressional history.

It was the Israeli leader’s fourth address to Congress.

That’s more than any other foreign leader in history, more even than British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II.

By God’s grace, I was there in the House chamber, having been invited by an Evangelical Christian Member of Congress.

It was a humbling experience to watch such an historic and high-stakes moment live and in-person.

I was seated just to the left of Sara Netanyahu and a group of Israeli heroes – wounded IDF warriors, hostage families, and even Noa Argamani, one of the hostages who was dramatically, even supernaturally, rescued in a daring Israeli special forces operation last month.

There are few hostages that Lynn and I have prayed for – or felt connected to – more than Noa.

What an honor to be able to shake her hand, and her father’s hand, and tell them that Evangelical Christians have been praying for them, non-stop, over the past nine months.

Netanyahu told her story, and that of her mother who was dying of cancer and had only one dying wish: "Let me see my daughter one more time and let me hug her before I die."

I was choked up with emotion as Netanyahu talked about Noa’s mother words to him, and what the prime minister and the IDF did to to fulfill her dying wish

Elon Musk, the larger than life billionaire entrepreneur, was also sitting a few feet to my right, at the invitation of Netanyahu.

How fascinating that Musk wanted to be there for this dramatic moment.

Right up front, let me just say Netanyahu’s speech was the single best speech I’ve ever heard him give.

I’ve known him since 2000 and have followed him even longer.

His speech was brilliant, bipartisan, and electrifying. A true master class in global statesmanship.

And I have to say, I was deeply moved by his message, moved by the guests that he brought, and very proud to be both an Israeli and an American.

Tomorrow, I’ll share some of my favorite lines and provide analysis as to why the speech worked, and why it matters so much.

But, let’s be honest. Some people hated the speech. Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, for example.

“Benjamin Netanyahu’s presentation in the House Chamber today was by far the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary invited and honored with the privilege of addressing the Congress of the United States,” she declared.

Others refused to even show up.

No fewer than 70 Democrats – members of both the House and Senate – boycotted Netanyahu’s speech. They refused to come hear the democratically elected leader of America’s most faithful and trusted ally in the entire Middle East say thank you to the American people for their wartime support, and to lay out his vision for where the Middle East could go next.

The most serious absence was that of Vice President Kamala Harris.

She will meet with Netanyahu privately on Thursday, as will President Joe Biden.

But Harris, who will very likely be the Democratic nominee for president by the end of August, chose to go to a sorority event in Indianapolis rather than preside over the Senate and honor our Israeli ally.

This is unconscionable.

I’ve stated for years that Biden is the most pro-Israel figure there is in the Democratic party.

I wasn’t kidding.

Harris just showed us her heart, her values, her policy and political instincts.

Short version: They are not pro-Israel.

Should she become America’s next Commander in Chief, Israel is going to be very much alone in the world.

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Joel C. Rosenberg