Netanyahu Congress Speech Includes 'Game Of Thrones' Reference To Iran And Islamic State; Twitter Explodes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invoked pop culture several times Tuesday in his speech to the U.S. Congress, at one point even referencing a "game of thrones." Whether it was coincidental or on purpose, Netanyahu's shout-out to the hit HBO show immediately got social media buzzing.

The nod to the fantasy drama came about halfway through his address before a joint session of Congress as Netanyahu urged U.S. lawmakers against making any kind of nuclear deal with Iran. Iran is as radical as ever, he said, comparing the nation to the militant Islamic State group.

"The battle between Iran and ISIS doesn't turn Iran into a friend of America. Iran and ISIS are competing for the crown of militant Islam. One calls itself the Islamic Republic, the other calls itself the Islamic State, both want to impose a militant Islamic empire -- first on the region and then on the entire world. They just disagree among themselves who will be the ruler of that empire," Netanyahu said. "In this deadly game of thrones, there is no place for America or for Israel, no peace for Christians, Jews or Muslims who don't share the Islamist medieval creed, no rights for women, no freedom for anyone."

"Game of Thrones," an award-winning HBO series based on books by George R. R. Martin, follows several houses of nobles as they compete to rule over the fictional continent of Westeros. The royals battle over the conceptual and physical Iron Throne. The show is popular among American viewers, so when Netanyahu spoke the phrase, a brief murmur of recognition could be heard in Congress.

Netanyahu made timely mentions of Google and Twitter in his speech, as well, but followed up his "Game of Thrones" comments with a twist on an ancient Sanskrit proverb. "When it comes to Iran and ISIS, the enemy of your enemy is your enemy," he said.

Attention on social media came swiftly. Netanyahu's speech started making headlines even before he arrived in the U.S., as Republican House Speaker John Boehner had invited the diplomat to address Congress without consulting President Barack Obama.

Dozens of users tweeted Tuesday about the prime minister's hip vernacular. See a few of the best messages below: