Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress on July 24 during his visit to Washington, D.C., Republican leaders said Thursday.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement that the speech will allow Netanyahu to “share the Israeli government’s vision for defending their democracy, combating terror, and establishing just and lasting peace in the region.” Netanyahu accepted the invitation, stating that he was “very moved” and would “present the truth about our just war against those who seek to destroy us to the representatives of the American people and the entire world.”
Related posts
The speech will surely be controversial, given the growing international criticism of Netanyahu’s handling of his battle with Hamas in Gaza. His visit to the United States follows difficulties with President Joe Biden, who has previously supported Israel’s war but has recently questioned Netanyahu’s policy and delayed weaponry shipments.
Biden’s support for Israel has also proven politically costly for the president during his re-election campaign, with many Democrats outraged by the massive number of civilians killed and displaced over the course of the almost eight-month fight.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer issued his own statement regarding Netanyahu’s address, stating that he backed the invitation despite having “clear and profound disagreements with the prime minister, which I have voiced both privately and publicly and will continue to do so.” Schumer said he still joined in extending the invitation “because America’s relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends one person or prime minister.”
In March, Schumer delivered an impassioned speech on the Senate floor, identifying Netanyahu as one of the “major obstacles” to forging peace between Israel and Palestine. He also called for elections in Israel, which drew criticism from Netanyahu, who stated that it was “inappropriate” for Schumer to “go to a sister democracy and try to replace the elected leadership there.”
Schumer, Johnson, McConnell, and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries signed a May 31 letter inviting Netanyahu to address Congress, stating that the United States supports Israel in its “struggle against terror, especially as Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens captive and its leaders jeopardize regional stability.”
“The existential challenges we face, including the growing partnership between Iran, Russia, and China, threaten the security, peace, and prosperity of our countries and of free people around the world,” concluded the statement. The letter went on to say that they would invite Netanyahu to the Capitol to “build on our enduring relationship and highlight America’s solidarity with Israel.”
