WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress on Wednesday, launching a scathing attack on protesters who are advocating for a cease-fire in Gaza.

His visit has been met with boycotts by some lawmakers and protests, highlighting how Netanyahu’s hard-line government’s prosecution of the war in Gaza is opening fissures in longstanding American support of Israel.

Netanyahu attacked those protesters with vigor, accusing them of ignorance and mocking those with signs that said “Gays for Gaza,” by saying they may as well be holding signs saying “Chickens for KFC.”

What did Netanyahu say?

Netanyahu entered the chamber to cheers from the legislators and characterized the current moment as a crossroads in history.

“This is not a clash between civilizations,” Netanyahu said. “It is a clash between barbarism and civilization.”

The prime minister thanked Biden for his support and introduced hostages, hostage families and Israeli Defense Force members in attendance. He reassured those who lost family members in Israel that their sacrifices would not be in vain.

Netanyahu then launched into a blistering attack on protesters who are advocating for a cease-fire, accusing them of being “Iran’s useful idiots” and siding with Hamas. He accused protesters of being ignorant of both geography and history.

He also equated antisemitic tropes with anti-Zionism and called criticisms of the humanitarian situation in Gaza lies. Netanyahu pushed back on accusations that Israel is perpetrating a genocide in Gaza and claimed that Israeli forces were not killing civilians, though the number of deaths in Gaza has passed 39,000, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

“Israel will always defend itself,” Netanyahu said, before blaming Iran for the chaos and conflict in the region.

He then characterized violence in the Middle East as a proxy conflict between Iran and the U.S., saying that Israel’s actions were protecting America.

“Our enemies are your enemies, our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory,” he said.

While he said Israel would prefer to reach diplomatic solutions, Netanyahu said Israel would do whatever it takes to secure the country’s borders and return hostages home. He also referenced a recent missile attack from Hezbollah, saying the country would retaliate against those who attack it.

That rhetoric could be concerning for those who fear the ongoing military situation and increased attacks from Hezbollah and Houthi rebels could spark a wider regional conflict, potentially drawing the U.S. into a more active role.

Netanyahu asked for more support, saying that America giving the IDF more tools would bring a quicker end to the conflict. He also noted the conflict could end immediately if Hamas released hostages but vowed to continue fighting if Hamas did not concede.

The prime minister said Israel would settle for nothing less than “total victory,” though it has not been clearly defined what that looks like. Netanyahu said that Israel does not seek to re-occupy Gaza but at the same time said Israel must have security control over the region, which would likely mean a continued IDF presence in the region.

Who won’t attend Netanyahu’s address?

Many Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and political independent Bernie Sanders plan to boycott Netanyahu’s appearance, but the most notable absence will be behind him.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who serves as president of the Senate and would traditionally sit behind foreign leaders, says a long-scheduled trip will keep her away Wednesday.

John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told NewsNation on Tuesday that he thinks it’s “unprecedented” for a vice president not to find time for such a commitment.

Additionally, Senate Pro Tempore Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, is next in line to fill the seat behind Netanyahu, but she is among the lawmakers who declined to attend.

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Ben Cardin will sit there instead. He told The Associated Press he hoped Netanyahu would use the speech to lay out a future for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Republicans have targeted Harris’ absence as a sign of disloyalty to an ally. However, Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, said campaigning would also make him a no-show for the speech.

Some lawmakers who planned to boycott the address said they would spend the time talking with the families of those held by Hamas.

A spokesperson for Pelosi confirmed she would be among them.

“Speaker Pelosi will not be attending today’s Joint Meeting of Congress,” the statement said. “This morning, she will join a Members meeting with Israeli citizens whose families have suffered in the wake of the October 7th Hamas terror attack and kidnappings.”

President Joe Biden and Netanyahu are expected to meet Thursday, a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press. Netanyahu will also meet with Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday and former President Donald Trump on Friday.

In the address, Netanyahu thanked Trump for his support for Israel and discussed expanding on the Abraham Accords, in an effort to get Arab countries in the region to normalize relations with Iran.

He specifically called out Trump’s decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. The city is at the heart of the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, as both view Jerusalem as the rightful capitol of their land that holds great historical and religious significance.

Where do cease-fire talks stand?

The Biden administration said it wants to see Netanyahu focus during his visit on helping it complete a deal for a cease-fire and hostage release in the nine-month war. Growing numbers of Israelis accuse Netanyahu of prolonging the war in order to avoid a likely fall from power whenever the conflict ends.

Many Democrats who support Israel but have been critical of Netanyahu see the address as a Republican effort to cast itself as the party most loyal to Israel and to provide the prime minister with a much-needed political reprieve.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.