Netanyahu’s Masterful Speech to Congress. July 24, 2024

"The Mona Lisa of speeches"

We have just watched this incredible speech, and I am moved to urge all who would not only want to witness one of the finest orations in modern history, but also to learn more about October 7 and, especially, about the brave and courageous soldiers of the IDF, to find this video and take in every moving, poignant, inspirational moment. One commentator, Hillel Fuld, an accomplished public intellectual and speaker in his own right, referred to it as “the Mona Lisa of speeches" — “an absolute masterpiece.” In his comments, which can be found here, he quotes one of the most memorable sentences in the entire speech. It is the most truthful description of the war with Hamas:

“This is not a clash of civilizations. It's a clash between barbarism and civilization.”

The Prime Minister referred to the savages of October 7 as “monsters” and “evil,” a description any of us who have seen video excerpts from that day would certainly agree with. He filled his speech with stories of the soldiers of the IDF and their heroism, and introduced the young woman the world saw being taken as a hostage and carried away on the back of a motorcycle with this painfully touching story:

"On the morning of October 7th, the entire world saw Noa’s look of desperation as she was violently abducted to Gaza on the back of a motorcycle. I met Noa’s mother Liora a few months ago. She was dying of cancer. She said to me, “Prime Minister, I have one final wish. I wish to hug my daughter Noa one last time before I die.” Two months ago, I authorized a breathtaking commando rescue operation. Our Special Forces, including a heroic officer named Arnon Zmora, who fell in this battle, rescued Noa and three other hostages. I think it’s one of the most moving things, when Noa was reunited with her mother, Liora, and her mother’s last wish came true.”

Let me finish my plea to all to watch every minute of this speech, with this commentator’s words describing it:

This was a once in a lifetime speech. No, it was a once in a generation speech. You couldn’t watch this speech and not get emotional. It made me cry multiple times. Whatever Netanyahu’s goal was in coming to congress, I have no doubt that he accomplished that mission with flying colors.

A word of caution: do not start watching this powerful presentation unless you can spend the next hour and a half glued to the screen. You might also consider having a few tissues handy, as there are some indescribably heartbreaking passages.

His closing words:

May God Bless Israel, May God Bless America and May God Bless the great alliance between Israel and America forever!