Joint session speech was historic experience

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking before a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Feb. 3. House Speaker John Boehner (rear left) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who sat in Vice President Joe Biden’s absence, listened as Netanyahu explained his positions regarding the progress of Iran’s nuclear development. /PHOTO | MARSHALL H. COHEN, BIG MARSH NEWS PHOTOSI had the distinct honor of being invited to attend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before a joint session of Congress last week. I was invited by Sen. Jack Reed to represent the Rhode Island Jewish community.

When I received the phone call, I first assumed it was to confirm or cancel my meeting with the senator. I was scheduled to meet with him as part of Jewish Disabilities Day sponsored by the Jewish Federations of North America.

As director of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, I thought it was extremely important for me to attend this speech before the joint session of Congress. However, I must say I was a bit conflicted. Don’t get me wrong, speaking about Iran’s becoming a nuclear power is an important issue. However, was a joint session of Congress the proper forum for the Prime Minister’s speech?

From the beginning, the event was troubling. The invitation for Prime Minister Netanyahu to speak to the joint session of Congress came not from the president, but from the speaker of the house, who is not a member of the president’s political party. During a time when the Jewish community is facing growing anti-Semitism here and abroad as well as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, Israel needs all of the friends it can get and keep in the geo-political world.  Upsetting the applecart does not help. And, perhaps equally important, the Jewish community became divided into two groups: those who believed the Prime Minister should speak and those who did not think so.

That said, however, I was thrilled to be going to what promised to be a historical moment. I felt a sense of pride to be the person chosen to represent the greater Rhode Island Jewish community. After picking up my ticket at Reed’s office, I noticed I was going to sit in the front row of the gallery. It turned out I was seated not too far from Elie Wiesel. 

When I arrived, there were only a handful of people in attendance. The lights in the House were dim. By 10 a.m., the gallery began to fill. It was more than likely 100 percent Jewish. By 11 a.m., the House floor was filled to capacity. A few moments later, the lights brightened and Israel’s Prime Minister was called to the floor to speak.

When Netanyahu entered the hall of Congress, yes, I, too, stood up and applauded for more than 10 minutes until my hands hurt. The atmosphere was infectious. In fact, I did so 39 more times during his speech. I did so for three reasons. First, to demonstrate my allegiance to and love for Israel. Second was to let Congress know that keeping Iran from becoming a nuclear entity was extremely important, and we must do everything possible to prevent it from becoming one. While it may seem a bit trite, I sincerely felt, as I believe the rest of those in the gallery did, that our applause was a statement to our elected officials of how crucial this issue was for us. Finally, the speech and delivery itself was a masterpiece. Prime Minister Netanyahu is a great orator. His use, and choice, of words, his inflections and tone as well as pauses, helped to create an effective speech and presentation. This speech was one for the ages and the history books.

After the speech, I went back to Reed’s office. I waited a couple of minutes, and met with the senator to thank him for the invitation. We then kibitzed for a few minutes and discussed the speech and the Iran negotiations.  Suffice it to say, the issue is extremely complex and in the end, it was good to have Israel’s voice heard.

So, how did I feel while I sat there in my first-row gallery seat hearing the Prime Minister of Israel speak? I was not alone in the gallery. With me was the greater Rhode Island Jewish community.

MARTY COOPER is the Community Relations director for the Jewish Alliance.