'War criminal': Ilhan Omar decries Benjamin Netanyahu's 'utterly immoral' Congress speech amid protests

WASHINGTON, DC: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress was denounced by Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn) as "utterly immoral and cruel."

Omar, along with dozens of other Democrats, boycotted the event on Wednesday, July 24, as protesters clashed with police near the US Capitol.

Rep Ilhan Omar slams Benjamin Netanyahu as war criminal committing genocide

Throughout the Israel-Hamas conflict, Ilhan Omar has been one of the most outspoken members of Congress in criticizing the Israeli administration.

“It is utterly immoral and cruel to the millions of lives impacted by [Netanyahu’s] catastrophic actions to platform him, let alone give him the honor of addressing Congress,” the Democratic representative wrote in a statement.

She accused Netanyahu of being a "war criminal" who is "committing genocide" against the Palestinian people, calling for his accountability by the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.

Omar further accused Netanyahu’s government of causing "one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history," citing shortages of food, water, and medical supplies in Gaza.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 39,000 Palestinians have died, per ABC News.

Benjamin Netanyahu's Congress speech begets widespread boycotts and protests

Vice President Kamala Harris also skipped Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech, joining about 80 House Democrats and multiple Democratic senators in the boycott.

As Netanyahu walked into the Capitol, widespread protests erupted near the US Capitol.

Capitol Police reported using pepper spray and flash-bang explosive devices shortly before the Israeli Prime Minister's speech began.

“Part of the crowd has started to become violent at First Street and Constitution Avenue, NW,” Capitol Police said on X (formerly Twitter). “The crowd failed to obey our order to move back from our police line. We are deploying pepper spray towards anyone trying to break the law and cross that line.”

Netanyahu referred to the protesters as “Iran’s useful idiots,” suggesting possible Iranian funding for the anti-Israel protests.

"For all we know, Iran is funding the anti-Israel protests that are going on right now outside this building," he said. “Not that many, but they’re there and throughout the city," CNN reported. 

Five demonstrators were detained after disrupting the address, according to police.

"Five people in the House Gallery just disrupted the Address during the Joint Meeting. All of them were immediately removed from the Gallery and arrested. Disrupting the Congress and demonstrating in the Congressional Buildings is against the law," police said.

Internet reacts to Rep Ilhan Omar slamming Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress

Ilhan Omar slamming Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress recieved mixed responses on X. From hailing Omar for standing to humanity she was equally rebuked for being critical to Netanyahu and Israel.

One user on X wrote, "I can't believe I'm agreeing with you... but you're right on this."

Another user posted, "Thank you for standing with humanity."

"Thank you Ilhan for reminding me that good people do exist in the US Government. You are a woman of class and conviction. Dedicated to a better world so alas I take my hat off to you miss Omar."

Someone else remarked, "Agreed. He is a war criminal of huge proportions."

However, Omar also faced ridicule for her comments against Netanyahu. One critic wrote, "Well, she can go to Gaza and fight the 'utterly immoral and cruel' actions going on there if it upsets her so much."

Another penned, "Allowing you in our congress was cruel."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.