Without evidence, Netanyahu accused protesters of his address as Iranian-funded operatives seeking to demonize Israel.
“For all we know, Iran is funding the anti-Israel protests that are going on right now outside this building,” Netanyahu said.
“You have officially become Iran’s useful idiots,” said Netanyahu amid fervent applause in Congress.
Netanyahu seized on remarks by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines earlier this month, who said Iran was attempting to fund and stoke protests in the United States.
U.S. antiwar protesters have said they are animated by the enormous loss of civilian life in the conflict and their opposition to the United States providing billions of dollars of military assistance to Israel every year.
In her statement on Iranian influence efforts, Haines said: “I want to be clear that I know Americans who participate in protests are, in good faith, expressing their views on the conflict in Gaza — this intelligence does not indicate otherwise.”
“For all we know, Iran is funding the anti-Israel protests that are going on right now outside this building,” Netanyahu said.
“You have officially become Iran’s useful idiots,” said Netanyahu amid fervent applause in Congress.
Netanyahu seized on remarks by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines earlier this month, who said Iran was attempting to fund and stoke protests in the United States.
U.S. antiwar protesters have said they are animated by the enormous loss of civilian life in the conflict and their opposition to the United States providing billions of dollars of military assistance to Israel every year.
In her statement on Iranian influence efforts, Haines said: “I want to be clear that I know Americans who participate in protests are, in good faith, expressing their views on the conflict in Gaza — this intelligence does not indicate otherwise.”
