Netanyahu addresses Senate GOP luncheon as he and chamber’s Democrats tussle

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US Republican senators today that Israel will continue its efforts to defeat the Palestinian terror group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, senators tell reporters after he addressed a party lunch.

“He’s going to do what he said he’s going to do. He’s going to finish it,” Senator Jim Risch of Idaho says.

The Israeli leader spoke to Republicans via video link nearly a week after the Senate’s Democratic majority leader, Chuck Schumer, gave a Senate speech branding Netanyahu an obstacle to peace and urging new elections in Israel.

“We asked…him for an update and we got it on the war, on the release of the hostages and in the efforts to defeat Hamas. We told him Israel has every right to defend themselves and he said that’s exactly what they continue to do,” Senator John Barrasso says.

Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says Netanyahu addressed civilian casualties and the need to get more aid into Gaza. He says Netanyahu is “very supportive” of plans to build a temporary pier and bring in aid by sea.

“He’s very sensitive to the fact that every civilian casualty is a very unfortunate event,” Risch says.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell says Netanyahu made a presentation and then took questions from senators.

“I made it clear to him, that it’s not the business of the United States to be giving a democratic ally advice about when to have an election or what kind of military campaign they may be conducting,” McConnell tells reporters.