But at the same time, some American labour movements presented a refreshingly different image of their country and its people. In keeping with their tradition of fighting for justice, on the day that Netanyahu’s plane landed in the US, they sent a joint letter to Biden calling on him to immediately halt all military aid to Israel. It was signed by seven unions: the Association of Flight Attendants–Communications Workers of America (AFA-CWA), the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), the National Education Association (NEA), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the United Auto Workers (UAW), and the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers (UE). Collectively, they represent around half of all union members in the US, or around six million workers.

Compare that to the 535 congresspersons, who include 435 representatives and 100 senators, plus the vice-president whose role is to preside over the Senate and break a tie vote. But Vice-President Kamala Harris chose not to attend that day’s session. It was reported that Harris had a previously scheduled political meeting elsewhere in the US. However, as many have observed, the date of Netanyahu’s visit was known well in advance, so she could have easily rearranged her schedule had she wanted to. In all his previous addresses to Congress, the vice-president of the time could be seen standing behind him on the podium.

As Netanyahu spoke, at least 5,000 protesters marched outside the Capitol building: more than ten times the cheerleaders fawning on him inside. Of course, credit should go to the more than 90 congresspersons who publicly boycotted the address. One might have expected the Democratic representative of Palestinian origin, Rashida Tlaib, to have been among the boycotters. In fact, she outshone them all, taking a more courageous and meaningful stance given the nature of the occasion. Whenever Netanyahu’s captive congressional audience jumped to their feet to clap, she held up a sign that “War Criminal” on one side and “Guilty of Genocide” on the other.

In striking such a contrast with the grotesque circus around her, she succinctly represented a different America outside the halls of Congress, an America with a conscience not in the thrall of Zionist influence.  

* A version of this article appears in print in the 1 August, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly