WASHINGTON – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Thursday with President Biden and Vice President Harris following his joint session of Congress speech as a backdrop, during which protestors clashed with police just blocks from the Capitol.

The scathing speech promising “total victory” over Hamas saw a mixed reception, with nearly 25 percent of the members of Congress boycotting attendance.

Members of the Oklahoma delegation were not a part of the dissenters, and instead rallied behind the Israeli diplomat, reinforcing their steadfast support for Israel.

Netanyahu’s meeting on Thursday with Biden and Harris, who skipped the address, discussed the status of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Following the meeting, Harris called for an immediate ceasefire deal to free hostages.

“What has happened in Gaza over the last nine months is devastating,” Harris said. “We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering, and I will not be silent. There is a deal on the table for a ceasefire and a hostage [release].”

Despite Biden and Harris’ insistence that there is a potential deal, Netanyahu never spoke the word “ceasefire” during his address, instead saying “give us the tools faster, and we’ll finish the job faster,” referring to U.S. weaponry.

Netanyahu spoke to the applause of many lawmakers – and silence from others – saying in his address that the continued alliance between Israel and the U.S. will undoubtedly lead to victory.

“America and Israel must stand together. When we stand together something really simple happens: We win, they lose,” said Netanyahu, who wore a yellow pin in solidarity with captured Israeli hostages.

The notion of unity between the U.S. and Israel rang through the chamber as the prime minister spoke, evoking the delegation’s support.

“We must continue to stand like a rock with Israel to ensure that the Israelis have the essential resources to defend itself and eradicate the barbaric terrorist organization Hamas from this earth for good,” U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Moore) said.

“Israel is our closest friend and ally in the Middle East, as well as the only democracy in the region,” Cole said in a statement. “It is imperative that we lead through strength and show the rest of the world that America will not waver in our ironclad support for our great ally.”

Within one hour of leaving the chamber, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Oklahoma City) expressed her support for Israel and Netanyahu’s “powerful” speech in a video on X.

“He highlighted the importance of a continued strong U.S.-Israel relationship. It was incredibly moving to see a former hostage in the gallery, as well as families of current hostages that we pray come home safely,” Bice said.

Throughout his speech, the prime minister often linked Israel and the U.S., reminding Congress of a common enemy. If nothing else, Netanyahu said to remember this message from the address: “Our enemies are your enemies, our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory.”

Despite drawing many standing ovations from legislators, a large number of Democrats publicly boycotted Netanyahu’s address, many calling Netanyahu’s invitation to speak a “political stunt.” His speech came just one day before the House announced it prepares to adjourn until Sept. 9.

Discussing Iran at length during his address, Netanyahu emphasized a shared interest between Israel and the U.S. in fighting the most “radical and murderous enemy of America.” The prime minister also claimed that “America will be next” if Israel is not allowed to “defend itself.”

U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-Oklahoma City) joined the chorus in support of Israel after Netanyahu’s speech, providing insight on Iran as a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

“He reminded all of us in the chamber that Iran is coming after Israel because Israel is what’s between them the United States,” Lankford said in a video on X. “As we stand with Israel and with that democracy, we’re actually pushing back against terrorist acts coming out of Iran.”

The prime minister also condemned protests on college campuses and outside the Capitol, calling those in dissent of Israel “Iran’s useful idiots.” Netanyahu also claimed that such protests are being funded by Iran.

“Some of these protesters hold up signs proclaiming gays for Gaza. They might as well hold up signs saying ‘Chickens for KFC.’ These protesters chant ‘From the river to the sea.’ But many don’t have a clue what river and what sea they’re talking about,” Netanyahu said, referring to the Islamic Jihad battle cry.

U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Tulsa) called on Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, to condemn the “un-American behavior” at protests outside the D.C. Union Station. Attendees removed American flags, lit them on fire with a Netanyahu effigy and replaced them with Palestinian flags.

Harris issued a statement Thursday following the protests, writing:

“Yesterday we saw despicable acts by unpatriotic protestors and dangerous hate-filled rhetoric,” Harris said. “I condemn any individuals associating with the brutal terrorist organization Hamas. I condemn the burning of the American flag.”

Pro-Palestine protests took place this past Spring at universities across the nation, including at the University of Oklahoma, advocating for the university to divest funding from weapons and Israel.

The prime minister’s speech comes after increasing criticism from lawmakers regarding the Palestinian civilian death toll, and lack of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza. The International Criminal Court recently issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu on the grounds of “starvation of civilians” and “intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population.”

In his speech, Netanyahu addresses the “false allegations” of the ICC and the lack of humanitarian aid entering Gaza since the war’s beginning, blaming Hamas for “stealing it.”

U.S. Rep, Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan), the only Palestinian-American member of Congress, attended in protest, brandishing a sign reading “guilty of genocide” and “war criminal” in reference to Netanyahu.

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) also voiced criticism after the prime minister’s speech, calling it “the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary invited.”

Netanyahu’s speech marks his first in nearly a decade to U.S. lawmakers. It is also the first since the terrorist attacks of Oct. 7, during which Hamas captured over 240 hostages with around 100 still remaining captive in Gaza, including five Americans.

As he wrapped up his speech, the Israeli prime minister reinforced the idea of “good over evil,” and echoed the “demilitarization and deradicalization” of Gaza, which he hopes to achieve by continued Israeli military control.

“Israel does not seek to resettle Gaza,” Netanyahu said. “But for the foreseeable future, we must retain overriding security control there to prevent the resurgence of terror, to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”

Gaylord News is a reporting project of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. For more stories by Gaylord News go to GaylordNews.net.