Protester interrupts Netanyahu speech to Congress

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Congress

A protester screaming "equal rights for Palestinians!" interrupted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu address to Congress Tuesday before being taken out of the House gallery by Capitol Police.

Some members of Congress - who offered Netanyahu what appeared to be a number of unified standing ovations throughout his speech - booed the protester.

Netanyahu responded to the protester by saying that "I take it as a badge of honor, and so should you, that in our free societies you can have protests."

"You can't have these protests in the farcical parliaments in Tehran or in Tripoli," he continued. "This is real democracy."

"So as we share the hopes of these young people throughout the Middle East and Iran that they'll be able to do what that young woman just did - I think she's young; I couldn't see quite that far - we must also remember that those hopes could be snuffed out, as they were in Tehran in 1979," Netanyahu added.

Netanyahu was before Congress to lay out Israel's position on peace with the Palestinians and discuss militant Islam, the prospect of a nuclear Iran and Israel's role in the Middle East.

Netanyahu was also interrupted by protesters during a speech to right-leaning pro-Israel lobby AIPAC on Monday evening, though they were often drowned out by his backers, who chanted his nickname "Bibi" and gave him a standing ovation.

His speech to Congress follows a dustup between President Obama and Netanyahu last week over the president's comment that peace between Israel and a Palestinian state would be based on pre-1967 war borders, with land swaps.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by wasa0206 May 24, 2011 10:50 PM EDT: related news here --
http://www.christianpost.com/news/israels-netanyahu-issues-challenge-for-middle-east-peace-50464/; Reply to this comment


by Springer6green6 May 24, 2011 9:29 PM EDT: What Congressman or Senator invited the protester? This event was by invitation only. So, who wanted the speech interrupted? Who has sided against democratic Israel and for the new Islamist government of Hama and the PLO? Was it Obama?????; Reply to this comment


by justme2012 May 24, 2011 4:56 PM EDT: Low class socialists with their anti-jewish rants. Nothing new. They've been around for decades.; Reply to this comment


by meboard May 24, 2011 2:18 PM EDT: That wasn't very professional of Michelle Bachmann.; Reply to this comment


by user000049586849302948603 May 24, 2011 2:16 PM EDT: Yeah, I remember being in Iraq (twice!) and all the Israel soldiers who were there in support of America's cause.

....not.; Reply to this comment


by john5673 May 24, 2011 2:12 PM EDT: Can Israel accept the borders of Palestine on 1967 line with land swap? or only demanding from Palestinians to accept not only existence of Israel but Jewish State too including many other written and unwritten conditions along with continuing construction of new settlements on Palestinian land day and nights? Looks like, Israel is waiting for the completion of the land grab with many excuses, road blocks and unending and unlimited support of America.; Reply to this comment


by __One__American__ May 24, 2011 1:41 PM EDT: While Obama is running off and playing the suck-up Mr. Populist in Europe (after making unfriendly and unhelpful suggestions for Israel), Netanyahu demonstrates REAL courage and leadership - something that Obama will NEVER have.

And what about the economy?

And what about border security?

And what about the price of gasoline?

And what about 14 trillion dollars in debt?

Obama is the worst mistake Americans have ever made.; Reply to this comment


by StuNJCOLGA May 24, 2011 1:37 PM EDT: Clever, having a beer in Ireland.; Reply to this comment


by MORDECHAYAYRIELY May 24, 2011 1:37 PM EDT: - Change your thoughts and you change your world. byNorman Vincent Peale
Palestinian changing their thoughts and:
*Recognize Israel Jewish state
*Build a life for Arabs refugees in Arab counties
(As Israel done for 850.000 Jew refugees from Arab countries)
*Provide Arabs citizens the same democratic life that Israeli Arabs share with the Jews
And the Palestinians will change their and Israeli world.
_
Netanyahu speech represents Israel citizen's consensus.
--
Peaty that Netanyahu didn't include quotes articles from Hamas and Muslim brotherhood ideology, threatening all cultures worldwide not only Israel:
--
Hamas
1:Under the Islam wing Islam,Christiannity,Judaism may coexist.
PEACE AND QUITE WOULD BE POSIBLE ONLY UNDER ISLAM WINGS.
2: Sharia goes for any land the Moslems have conquered by force till the Day of Judgment.
--
Muslim brotherhood
1: "Hitler didn't finish the job-The Muslims will finish the Job"
Muslim brotherhood leader speech in Cairo before 1 million people
Broadcasted by BBC one month ago
2; "A Muslim can come closer to Allah by waging jihad against all non-Muslims,Christians,Jews, atheists, in every possible manner.
Dr. Ahmad 'Abd about Al-Walaa Wa'l-Bar; Reply to this comment


by JV1970 May 24, 2011 1:33 PM EDT: The woman got exactly what she deserved! I hope they grabbed her and bounced her right out of there in handcuffs and right to the nearest jail!; Reply to this comment