‘What about the hostages?’: Lapid slams Netanyahu as others praise speech to Congress

Opposition leader says prime minister should have used address to announce hostage deal and realistic day-after plans; Gantz, Herzog applaud PM for remarks on high-profile stage

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress at the US Capitol on July 24, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/AFP)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress at the US Capitol on July 24, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/AFP)

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of missing an opportunity to help hostages and others during his address to the US Congress Wednesday, while allies of the premier and others praised his defense of Israel on the high-profile stage.

“What about the hostages? What did you say about [them] besides empty words?” Lapid said in a video responding to the prime minister’s speech before a joint session of Congress. “Netanyahu had an opportunity to say he accepts the deal and will bring home the hostages before they all die in the tunnels. He didn’t do that.”

“He had an opportunity to present a ‘day-after’ plan that has some sort of connection to reality. He didn’t do that,” Lapid added. “He had an opportunity to gain all of Congress’s support for the residents of the north and against Hezbollah. He didn’t do that.”

“Instead of that, we heard him speak about October 7 as if he has no connection to what happened then. As if every Congress member who sat in the hall and politely clapped their hands doesn’t know he is guilty of the negligence and terrible abandonment that led to the disaster.”

Netanyahu’s nearly hour-long speech focused on the devastation of October 7, which saw terrorists kill some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnap 251; the ensuing war against Hamas; the regional struggle against Iran; and the importance of Israel’s alliance with the United States.

The premier was panned by relatives of hostages and others for devoting little attention to efforts to reach a deal to free the captives. Some had held out hope that he would use the speech to announce a deal, but talks are continuing.

“The only commendable thing in the speech was the warm thanks he gave to [US] President [Joe] Biden, whom he has been defaming for months,” Lapid said. “Besides that, it would’ve been better for all of us had he stayed home and dealt with the hostages in Gaza and the displaced in the north.״

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid leads a Yesh Atid faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on July 22, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Other reactions were more positive.

National Unity party head Benny Gantz, who resigned from his position as war cabinet minister last month, said that “Netanyahu clearly, appreciatively and sharply presented the just stance of the State of Israel and our heroes,” adding that “the important thing now is not only to present the vision but to realize it.”

“First and foremost, we must remember that at this moment, over 100 hostages are being held captive, and we must act to bring them back, even at painful costs. Additionally, we must ensure the safe return of the residents of the north and the south to their homes, replace Hamas with the ‘day after’ plan and build a regional alliance.”

President Isaac Herzog, who was a chief political rival of Netanyahu’s before his presidency, praised the speech on X, including Netanyahu’s emphasis on the threat posed by Iran.

“The immediate and urgent return of the hostages must be at the heart of the world agenda, as must the global threat from the Iranian evil and terrorist empire – and it’s important to reiterate this before the elected leaders of our greatest and most important ally,” he wrote.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin called the speech “historic,” adding that it “reminded the world what we’re fighting for and how just our path is.”

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote on X: “The Jewish and Israeli heart in all of us is moved and filled with pride by the high standing of the prime minister, who represents us commendably and faithfully, with sharp and clear words, and by the warm reception reflecting a deep and wonderful partnership between the State of Israel and the United States of America. The people of Israel live! Onward to victory.”

In response to the speech, ultranationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who made several controversial headline-grabbing moves in the hours before the speech, posted on X: “Israel <3 Netanyahu.”

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