WASHINGTON — The last time Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the U.S. Congress, nearly 60 Democrats skipped his speech nine years ago, calling it a slap in the face to then-President Barack Obama. that he was negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran.
With Netanyahu due to address US lawmakers on July 24 and his government now at war with Hamas in Gaza, the number of absences is likely to be much higher.
Democrats in Congress are debating whether to attend. Many are torn between their long-standing support for Israel and their anguish over the manner in which Israel has carried out its military operations in Gaza. More than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that sparked the war, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its figures.
While some Democrats say they will do so out of respect for Israel, a larger and growing faction wants no part of it, creating an extraordinarily charged atmosphere at a gathering that normally amounts to a ceremonial, bipartisan show of support for an American ally.
“I would like him to be a statesman and do what is right for Israel. We all love Israel,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, said recently on CNN about Netanyahu. “We need to help them and not let him stand in the way of this for so long.”
She added: “I think it’s going to spark more of what we’ve seen in terms of discontent among our own people. »
Tensions between Netanyahu and Democratic President Joe Biden have seeped into public opinion, with Netanyahu last week accusing the Biden administration of withholding U.S. weapons from Israel – a claim he made again to his cabinet on Sunday. After the prime minister first made the accusation, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “We really don’t know what he’s talking about.” We just don’t do it.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.,’s invitation to Netanyahu came after consultation with the White House, according to a person familiar with the matter who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive topic. So far, no meetings between the leaders during Netanyahu’s visit to Washington have been planned, the source said.
Netanyahu said in a statement that he was “deeply moved” by the invitation to address Congress and the opportunity “to present the truth about our just war against those who seek to destroy us to the representatives of the American people.” and the whole world.”
Republicans first floated the idea in March of inviting Netanyahu after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the United States, gave a speech on the Senate floor in which he harshly criticized the Prime Minister. Schumer, D-N.Y., called the Israeli leader “an obstacle to peace” and called for new elections in Israel, while denouncing Hamas and criticizing Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Republicans denounced the speech as an affront to Israel and its sovereignty. Johnson talked about asking Netanyahu to come to Washington, an invitation that Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York ultimately approved, albeit reluctantly. Pelosi, who opposed Netanyahu’s invitation in 2015 when she was Democratic leader, said it was a mistake for congressional leaders to extend it again this time.
Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who attended the 2015 speech as a House member, said he saw no reason why Congress “should extend a political lifeline” to Netanyahu.
Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said it would be “healthy” for members of both parties to attend. “I think a lot of Americans have a one-sided narrative, especially the younger generation, and I think it’s important that they hear from the prime minister of Israel, in terms of his point of view,” said McCaul, R-Texas.
Interviews with more than a dozen Democrats revealed the extent of discontent over the upcoming speech, which many see as a Republican ploy intended to divide their party. Some Democrats say they will be there to express support for Israel, not Netanyahu.
New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he had an “obligation” to attend because of that position.
“This should not have happened,” he added. “But I can’t control that. And I have to do my job.
Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., who heads Sente’s Foreign Relations Committee, made his presence known. Cardin said what he is looking for in Netanyahu’s speech is a “type of message that can strengthen this country’s support for Israel’s needs” but also lay the foundation for peace in the region.
Other Democrats are waiting to see whether Netanyahu will still be prime minister when he is scheduled to address Congress.
There have been clear signs of dissatisfaction with the handling of the war by Netanyahu’s government, a coalition that includes right-wing hardliners who oppose any form of settlement with Hamas.
Benny Gantz, a former military leader and centrist politician, withdrew this month from Netanyahu’s war cabinet, citing frustration with the prime minister’s conduct of the war. On Monday, Netanyahu dissolved this body. Meanwhile, a growing number of critics and protesters in Israel have backed a proposed ceasefire that would bring home hostages taken by Hamas.
Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., said he stands with those “who hope he’s not prime minister by the end of July.” I think he’s been bad for Israel, bad for the Palestinians, bad for America. ” But, he added, he believes that his duty is to present himself when a head of state addresses Congress, “even if it is someone who worries me and with which I disagree with.”
Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., attended the 2015 speech and described it as “one of the most painful hours” he spent in Congress. He plans to boycott unless Netanyahu becomes a “ceasefire champion.”
Much of the congressional progressive caucus – lawmakers who are among the most critical of Israel’s handling of the war – is expected to step down. Among them is Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the caucus chairwoman, who told The Associated Press it was a “bad idea” to invite Netanyahu.
“We should put pressure on him by suspending all offensive military assistance so that he sticks to the agreement proposed by the president,” she said.
Netanyahu’s visit is expected to spark significant protests, and some members of Congress are considering an alternative event.
Rep. Jim Clyburn said he was starting to bring together “like-minded” people to exchange ideas on a path forward for Israelis and Palestinians that would include a two-state solution. The top South Carolina Democrat sharply criticized Netanyahu’s 2015 speech, which he and several prominent members of the Congressional Black Caucus viewed as an affront to Obama.
“I just think that, rather than just saying, ‘I’m not going to go, I’m going to stay away,’ I say, ‘I’m going to stay away with a purpose,'” he said. declared. “I’m not going to listen to his nonsense. But here are some ideas we have that might be a way forward.
New York Post
