Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahoo addressed a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday, here is the complete transcript.
Netanyahoo: Thank you.
[Standing applause]
Thank you.
[Standing applause]
My friends, I’m deeply humbled by this opportunity to further my attempt at foiling the nuclear negotiations between your country and Iran. I am also deeply humbled by this opportunity to score a vitally important campaign photo op. Thank you.
[Standing applause]
I speak to you today because as prime minister I feel an obligation to warn the American people directly that the lone democracy in the Middle East cannot stand idly by as you, our military and political patron, seek to resolve disputes in our area of the world through diplomacy. No. I cannot accept this.
[Standing applause]
So allow me to warn you: Don’t be fooled. Don’t be taken in by lies and distortions. Time and again Iran has proven it cannot be trusted. Trust me, I know what I’m speaking of. I’ve said for a decade now that Iran is on the cusp of developing nuclear weapons. Trust me! Trust me!
[Standing applause]
But not only are the fanatics in Tehran seeking to develop nuclear weapons, I can tell you today that they are readying nuclear strikes against Tel Aviv and–don’t delude yourselves–New York City. The mullahs are simply murderous zealots. It’s a good thing we gathered here are not.
[Standing applause]
So I say to you—nay, I tell you: if you wish to retain your seat in this chamber, you will work with me to sabotage your traitorous president’s appeasement.
[Standing applause]
Now I don’t say this next part lightly, but if my political career has taught me one thing, it is that diplomacy should always be a last resort. All options must first remain on the table. And when, I ask, has the military option ever failed?
[Shouts of “Never!”]
So let me give you my red line–your red line. We simply cannot tolerate any regional force with the potential to deter us from cleansing an invented people from our land; you know, what the anti-Semites in Tehran deem “Palestinians.”
[Shouts of “Terrorists!”]
Yes, yes. Well, I promise you we won’t cease in demanding that you send us arms and money till our supremacy is assured, our homeland pure.
[Standing applause]
Quite simply then, and allow me to be explicitly clear here, my peaceful nation must maintain its ability to colonize the West Bank and bombard Gaza at will without the fear of reprisal. Any threat to either of the above is an existential threat. So I say to you today: No to diplomacy! And yes to war!
[Standing applause]
Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb…
[Shouts of “Iran!”]
Red line.
[Standing applause]
Existential threat.
[Standing applause].
Never again.
[Standing applause.]
Belch.
[Standing applause]
Thank you. And may God bless the state of Israel and may God bless the United States of Israel.
[Standing applause]
Ben Schreiner is a writer living in Oregon. He may be reached at bnschreiner@gmail.com.