As it happened - Netanyahu speech

The top Democrat in the House, Nancy Pelosi, said Mr Netanyahu's speech "reiterated... a nuclear armed Iran is unacceptable to both our countries" but said she was "near tears" during the speech because she was "saddened" by the "condescension toward our knowledge of the threat posed by Iran".

"The speech was able to break one by one the arguments of those who are pro-agreement with Iran." Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett tells Israeli army radio. "I don't understand what Herzog, Tzipi and Lapid are thinking to themselves when they throw stones at the prime minister who is fighting for them. It's a disgrace, this thing is neither right or left."

tweets: Bibi is essentially saying: I am a better judge of the US's security and self-interest than you are. Hard argument to credit. #Bibispeech

Opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog feels he is just as tough on Iran as Mr Netanyahu, but the opposition doesn't have access to the world stage as he does.

The opposition want to start talking instead about the cost of living and the other issues where they feel they have an advantage - they just hope those images of Mr Netanyahu basking in a warm bath of applause fade before polling day in two weeks' time.

Mr Netanyahu received several ovations but the one that greeted the end of his speech was particularly prolonged. In response he waved his appreciateion and said: "Thank you, America!"

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Benjamin Netanyahu's rival in Israel's election face a dilemma as the applause from the speech in Washington begins to die down. Monday's speech is the kind of television images you can't buy in an election campaign.

But if they repeat their warnings that Mr Netanyahu is endangering Israeli security by alienating the White House they risk protracting a story which has played to the prime minister's advantage.

BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says on BBC World News there's no deal immediately apparent from the negotiations.

tweet: Now you know why Pres Obama & company didn't want Bibi to speak to Congress! #BibiSpeech #Israel

Members of Congress are reacting to Mr Netanyahu's speech. "I urge President Obama to carefully consider the well-founded concerns expressed by Prime Minister Netanyahu today," Republican Representative Thom Tillis says in a statement.

tweets: "Slams Rouhani govt in Iran. regime always America's enemy. He's ruling out any notion of Iranian moderates who'll talk."

Mr Netanyahu is presenting himself "as the conscience" of the international community, BBC Middle East correspondent Kevin Connolly says.

tweets: #Netanyahu So much hype, what substance? Iran bad, no proposals for deal. Solid delivery. #NetanyahuSpeech

Meanwhile in Iran, #ShutUpNetanyahu is trending on Twitter.

Mr Netanyahu was met at the US Capitol by some protesters.

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tweet: "speech was classic Netanyahu. politics of fear & politics of bravery in adversity. Way more emotional than Obama's argument for deal."

tweets: If the aim of this speech was to split enough of Congress from the White House, it feels like it is well aimed. Obama is in for a bumpy ride

tweets: "Netanyahu gave a rousing address but did he make the case for not negotiating? And did he actually change anything?"

Mr Netanyahu finishes to extended applause and an audience on their feet. He spoke for just under an hour.

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tweets: Worth remembering today Netanyahu's history lecture to Obama in 2011 - v diff tone today, tho still a lot of history

But Mr Netanyahu says he knows the US will stand with Israel.

By Jeremy Bowen's count, Mr Netanyahu has received 19 standing ovations so far.

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Mr Netanyahu says after thousands of years, the Jewish people can defend themselves. "Even if Israel has to stand alone, Israel will stand."

tweets: "This is a direct intervention in US politics. He wants Congress to vote down a deal if it gets the chance."

Iran has 'voracious appetite for aggression' and is 'gobbling up four countries' are both wild exaggerations in #NetanyahuSpeech

tweets: #Bibispeech really not munch new in Bibi's speech. he has been saying this for yonks. No new beef. No new detail. Same hyperbole

Standing up to Iran and other regimes is not easy, Mr Netanyahu says, motioning towards Ellie Wiesel in the gallery.

Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the podium in Congress

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tweets: "Not every member of Congress rises to applaud when Bibi says it's a bad deal and we're better off without it. But most do."

Mr Netanyahu says the alternative to this deal is not war but a "much better deal".

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Mr Netanyahu has received a warm reception in Congress.

"If Iran wishes to be treated like a normal country, let it act like a normal country," Mr Netanyahu says.

"This deal won't change Iran for the better, it will only change Iran for the worse" - and would lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, Mr Netanyahu said.

Such a deal would "pave the way" for a Iran nuclear deal - and would make the country more aggressive.

Mr Netanyahu argues Iran could eventually be "weeks away" from a full nuclear arsenal, when deal expires.

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Mr Netanyahu is speaking to a full Congress.

tweet: #NetanyahuSpeech crucial point for his thesis. Iran can't be trusted in any circumstances. and restrictions will expire in a decade.

Mr Netanyahu says Iran both "defies" nuclear inspectors and plays "hide and cheat" with them.

Mr Netanyahu says the current negotiations would leave Iran's nuclear programme "largely intact".

tweet: Huge standing ovation as Netanyahu insists Iran cannot be permitted to gain nuke weapon

tweets: At the end of every sentence in Netanyahu's speech, in lieu of a full stop, are the words "pause for applause."

"Iran's regime is as radical as ever," Mr Netanyahu says, adding Islamic state and Iran are competing for the "crown of militant Islam".

tweets: For those asking, no, Nethanyahu's speech before Congress is not broadcasted on state TV in Iran.

Ayatollah Khamenei speaks the "oldest" hate with the newest technology, Mr Netanyahu says, tweeting that Israel should be destroyed.

The Israeli Prime Minister says the US is threatened by Iran as well - citing events from the US embassy hostage situation to an attempted assassination in Washington.

tweet: "This Capitol dome, helped build our Iron Dome. Thank you, America." #NetanyahuSpeech

tweet: #NetanyahuSpeech Netanyahu believes himself to be Churchill's heir, warning against threats as he did in 1930s about Nazis.

Nobel Peace prize winner Elie Wiesel (centre) is a guest of House Speaker John Boehner.

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tweets: Israeli channels talking over top of Netanyahu speech - will have 5 minute delay so editors can cut 'electioneering' pic.twitter.com/SVD9Dks5vD

Mr Netanyahu says Iran's quest for nuclear weapons is a threat to Israel's survival.

Mr Netanyahu's entry to to the floor was warmly received.

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tweets: Don't look for embarrassing empty seats at #Netanyahu address. Congressional aides encouraged to sit where Dems decline to.

"We appreciate all that Mr Obama has done for Israel," Mr Netanyahu says, suggesting there is more than what is widely known.

tweets: Netanyahu enters Congress, flanked by Republicans who invited him. Cue the first standing ovation. A handful of empty seats.

He says he "deeply regrets" the speech is seen as political - "that was never intentional".

Mr Netanyahu said he is "deeply humbled" to speak before "the most important legislative body in the world".

Mr Netanyahu begins by thanking Congress.

tweets: "Netanyahu to get a bust of Winston Churchill as he equals Churchill's record of 3 speeches to joint session of Congress"

tweets: Rousing applause for Netanyahu who gives entrance to what seems like a State of the Union address (or State of Disunion?)

Back home in Israel, Mr Netanyahu's speech is being broadcast on a five-minute delay, BBC Middle East correspondent Kevin Connolly writes, meant to guard against the possibility that the prime minister might be tempted to use this global stage as an electoral platform.

The Israeli Prime Minister shakes hands with Republicans and Democrats as he makes his way to the podium.

tweet: Sen Hatch, filling the VP seat, will sit behind Prime Minister Netanyahu when he speaks to Congress. #StandWithIsrael

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Mr Netanyahu has just been introduced on the House floor.

tweets: Members of Congress await #Netanyahu and so do we in the DC edit room. Billed as his most important speech ever.

Earl Blumenauer, a Democratic Congressman from Oregon, told the BBC's Kim Ghattas why he's not going to the speech.

"As soon as I found out the Republican leadership had invited Netanyahu in the middle of an Israeli election without consulting the administration and frankly with the determination to undercut negotiations on an agreement with Iran, I made it clear I was not going to dignify it with my presence."

During his speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Conference (Aipac) in Washington yesterday, Mr Netanyahu said his address to Congress was not intended to show disrespect to the US president.

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More than 50 Democrats are expected to not attend the speech, with some decrying the invitation as partisan.

Senator Al Franken told The Hill newspaper he was " uncomfortable being part of an event that I don't believe should be happening".

Nobody will be observing the media frenzy surrounding the speech with more interest, and with perhaps a certain amount of amusement, than the Iranians, writes BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus. In the short term, he says, all of this is a win-win for Iran.

tweets: "On @BBCWorld just spoke to Rep Charlie Rangel (D-NY). He changed his mind and will be attending Netanyahu speech after all."

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The Israeli Prime Minister is in rare company for his third speech to both chambers of Congress.

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The Israeli leader is at odds with the Obama administration's negotiations with Iran over their nuclear programme.

The Israeli Prime Minister was invited to speak to Congress by House Speaker John Boehner, but he has also used his trip to deliver a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac)'s policy conference.

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The invitation was made without White House input and is seen as a rebuke to President Barack Obama's threat to veto new sanctions on Iran.

Mr Netanyahu is expected to address members of both chambers of the US Congress starting at 11:00 local time (16:00 GMT).

Hello and welcome to the BBC's live page coverage of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to the US Congress.