Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently addressed Congress, reinforcing the wartime alliance between the U.S. and Israel and garnering enthusiastic applause from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Yet, beneath the ovation, many detected the familiar cadence of war rhetoric.
In his speech to the joint session of the House and Senate on Wednesday (July 24), Netanyahu called for U.S. support in a looming conflict against Iran-backed militant groups, including Hamas. Despite the absence of concrete evidence, he linked Hamas to the October 7 chaos last year, which led to Israel’s aggressive bombing campaign in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s message was unambiguous: he foresees a broader regional conflict in the Middle East and seeks U.S. backing. He even proposed establishing a NATO-like military alliance in the Middle East to counter the “increasing Iranian threat.”
This call for a new regional war comes as NATO-supported Ukraine struggles against Russia, and the potential election of President Trump could threaten the Pentagon’s substantial wartime funding. Netanyahu’s appeal for war raises questions about his true intentions. The military-industrial-congressional complex in America has efficiently funneled billions into Ukraine’s defense with little accountability. As the political landscape shifts, war profiteers adjust their strategies. For a right-wing administration, a conflict involving Israel is an attractive card to play, as conservatives often support it readily.
The U.S. establishment’s strategy to use Israel as a catalyst for war with Iran is evident in Netanyahu’s statements in D.C. and the activation of disinformation sources that serve the military-industrial-congressional complex. Following a failed assassination attempt on President Trump in Pennsylvania, mainstream media spread claims of an Iranian plot to assassinate him. No evidence was provided, nor were intelligence officials named. The goal was clear: paint Iran as a threat on American soil and rally pro-Israel conservatives for a potential conflict with Iran.
The White House also joined the anti-Iran narrative as Netanyahu’s speech sparked protests in D.C. White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby, without evidence, claimed that Iran was funding these protests.
Prior to Netanyahu’s address, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited Washington to meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and other officials to discuss issues including arms supplies to Israel.
Despite the push for war, some conservative analysts and commentators are vocally opposing the idea. Combat veteran and military analyst Col. Douglas Macgregor, who served in the Trump administration, criticized the DC policymakers on X (Twitter), stating they are contemplating war with Iran because “none of these corrupt DC officials seem to give a damn.”
