Israelis gathered in cafes to watch speech

Netanyahu’s impassioned speech in the US Congress impresses many Israelis in Jerusalem but draws criticism from others who say he is interfering in American affairs.

Israelis crowded into cafes and shops in Jerusalem, watching the speech on TV screens and hanging on every word of their leader, who is running for a fourth term in the March 17 elections.

“Look at how much they respect him,” says David Elmaliakh, 50, as he watches congressmen repeatedly interrupt the prime minister’s speech with rapturous applause.

Elmaliakh says Netanyahu was right to ignore the torrent of criticism that emerged when Republican lawmakers invited him to address the congress and go ahead with the visit.

“That’s the place where the whole world can hear us,” he says, as he sits in a downtown Jerusalem cafe where the speech was beamed on television.

Shoa Horowitz, a shopkeeper watching in Jerusalem, agrees with Netanyahu that there should be no nuclear negotiations with Iran.

“Netanyahu really cares, and knows what he’s talking about. It’s important he make the world understand the situation… All these negotiations are distorted,” he says.

Elmaliakh adds: “Iran is not to be trusted. We all know what Iran is,” without elaborating.

While many Israelis maintain Netanyahu was right to address Congress, others say his decision to do so would further damage an already tense relationship with the US administration.

“Obviously, this address is controversial among Israelis, because of its timing with the elections coming up,” says Boris Dolin, who also watched the speech at a Jerusalem cafe.

Avi Marziano agrees.

“To interfere in this manner in American politics seems needless and arrogant,” he says.

“Barack Obama is probably sitting at home now watching this. We will pay the price.”

— AFP