Netanyahu seeks support for war in Gaza with speech to Congress but sparks protests, boycott

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks before Congress in hopes of bolstering U.S. support for continuing Israel’s offensives against Hamas and other adversaries. But boycotts of his appearance Wednesday by some Democratic lawmakers and crowds of protesters outside are highlighting how his hard-line government’s conduct of the devastating war in Gaza is opening fissures in longstanding American support for his country. Many Democrats plan to attend Netanyahu's address despite their criticism of him. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has called Netanyahu an obstacle to peace amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Netanyahu's speech comes as the Biden administration is urging him to focus on closing a deal to end the nine-month war.