Israel is the only country that has guaranteed freedom of all faiths in Jerusalem, whichnetanyahu congress 2011 must remain undivided, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told Congress Tuesday.

Interrupted by repeated by standing ovations, he also thanked the United States for helping Israel reach its defense capabilities despite the "tough" economy.

There is no need for the United States to send troops to Israel because "we defend ourselves," Prime Minister Netanyahu said.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu noted in his opening remarks that the "ground is still shifting" in the Middle East and that the uprisings in the Muslim countries represent people's demands for liberty. He said that of 300 million Arabs, the only ones who are "truly free" are citizens of Israel.

He continued, "Israel is not what is wrong about the Middle East. Israel is what is right about the Middle East."

After one person interrupted his speech briefly, the Prime Minister said that the United States is a "real democracy" unlike "farcical" regimes of Iran and elsewhere.

He was welcomed with a standing ovation and three minutes of applause.

via israelnn.com