WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders invite Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu deliver a speech at the Capitol, a performance of wartime support for the longtime ally despite growing political divisions over the Israeli military attack on Gaza.
The invitation from the President of the House Mike JohnsonRepublican and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumera Democrat, alongside Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, was in the works for a while. No date for the speech has been set.
The leaders said the invitation was intended to “underscore America’s solidarity with Israel.”
“We invite you to share the Israeli government’s vision to defend democracy, combat terrorism, and establish a just and lasting peace in the region,” they wrote.
A Netanyahu speech would almost certainly reveal election year divisions In the United States, where a growing number of Democrats have turned away from the right-wing prime minister, while Republicans have embraced him.
Johnson first suggested inviting the Israeli leader, saying it would be “a great honor for me” to invite him. This came shortly after Schumer, who is the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the United States, gave a speech. scathing reprimand of Netanyahu. Schumer said in his speech that Netanyahu had “lost his way” amid Israel’s bombing campaign on Gaza.
Despite this, Schumer said he would join the invitation because “our relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends any prime minister or president.”
THE Israel-Hamas war, which is now in its seventh month after October 1. This surprise attack by the Palestinian militant group has sparked widespread concern in the United States and abroad over Israel’s conduct and the significant number of civilian deaths.
As Israel engages Rafaah in Gaza, the International Penal Court Netanyahu and his defense minister, along with three Hamas leaders, have been charged with war crimes – a largely symbolic act but one that further isolates the Israeli leader.
President Joe Biden In supporting Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, he blasted the ICC’s case against Netanyahu, but he nevertheless became critical of Israel’s war plans and pressed for guarantees of ‘humanitarian aid.
On Friday, Biden promoted a three-phase deal offered by Israel to Hamas militants that he said would lead to the release of remaining hostages in Gaza and could end the war. He urged the Israelis and Hamas to reach an agreement to release the remaining hostages in favor of an extended ceasefire, arguing that Hamas is “no longer capable” of carrying out another large-scale attack on Israel as it did in October.
Biden called the proposal “a road map to a lasting ceasefire and the release of all hostages.”
It is clear that Biden and Netanyahu will meet in Washington.
Earlier this week, Spain, Norway and Ireland recognized a Palestinian state, a decision that was condemned by Israel. The Slovenian government also supported a motion to recognize a Palestinian state and called on Parliament to do the same.
Typically, a high-profile congressional invitation is issued jointly and in consultation with the White House. But in 2015, Netanyahu was invited to address Congress in a snub of then-President Barack Obama by a former Republican president during the Iran disputes.
At the Capitol, debates over the war between Israel and Hamas were intense, passionate and divided, amplified during the demonstrations on university campuses this spring, showing how once-unwavering support for Israel has weakened and divided.
Republicans, including the presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trumprushed to show their support for Netanyahu and expose Democratic divisions on Israel.
More recently, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York became the highest-ranking Republican elected official in the United States Make a speech in front of the Israeli parliament.