White House National Security Communications Director John Kirby answered questions about Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to the US and his speech to Congress at a press briefing held at the White House. Kirby emphasized that they did not find it accurate that Netanyahu described Americans as “Iran’s useful idiots.”
Kirby noted Iran’s attempts to interfere in American politics, saying that while Iran acknowledged that it helped fund certain protests, it was wrong to characterize all protesters in the same way. In response to Netanyahu’s heavy criticism of pro-Palestinian supporters, especially in the US, Kirby argued that the demonstrations were a democratic right and reflected people’s real concerns.
“Democracy requires embracing diversity and different views. People have the right to express their opinions freely, and demonstrations like this allow society to have different voices heard. These kinds of reactions are part of the democratic process,” Kirby said.
