Netanyahu Thanks Biden For His Support During the War: ‘A Proud Irish-American Zionist’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took time during a Wednesday address to Congress to thank President Joe Biden for his support during the country’s fight against the terror group Hamas.

Netanyahu entered Congress to raucous, bipartisan applause, though a number of Democratic lawmakers like Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced they would not be attending the address. One Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), also said he would not be attending as he did not want to be used as a “prop.”

“I think President Biden for his heartfelt support of Israel after the savage attack on Oct. 7, he rightly called Hamas ‘sheer evil,'” Netanyahu said during his talk to lawmakers. “He dispatched two aircraft carriers to the Middle East to deter a wider war, and he came to Israel to stand with us during our darkest hour, a visit that will never be forgotten!”

The moment was one of many to earn applause and a standing ovation from some in the audience.

Biden’s support of Israel has come under scrutiny. The president has repeatedly backed the country’s right to defend itself, but been critical of the casualties in Gaza. Israeli strikes have killed thousands, many of them civilians. Biden’s support has led to some political backlash, including primary voters staging protests. In Michigan, more than 100,000 voted uncommitted in the primary in protest of the war.

Biden announced on Sunday he’s dropping out of the campaign amid concerns about his age and stamina. Vice President Kamala Harris has earned the necessary delegates to move to the top of the ticket as the Democrats’ presumptive nominee.

Netanyahu referred to Biden as a “friend” for more than 40 years and thanked him for describing himself as a “a proud Zionist,” then correcting that description to “a proud Irish-American Zionist.”

Watch above via MSNBC.