The Democratic Leader in the House and Senate: America’s solidarity with Israel transcends one person or prime minister and why the Israeli Prime Minister is an ironclad leader
A number of Democratic lawmakers who have been supportive of Israel since the start of the war have said their attendance at Netanyahu’s address will be dependent on his decision to accept the peace deal at hand.
Johnson wanted to invite the Israeli leader, saying it would be a great honor. In the press release Thursday, Johnson said Netanyahu responded to the invitation in kind.
“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,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, along with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, said in the letter. “To build on our enduring relationship and to highlight America’s solidarity with Israel, we invite you to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combatting terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region.”
Biden announced a deal to end the fighting in Gaza, putting pressure on Netanyahu to accept it. The far-right have threatened to leave his coalition government if he embraces the terms.
The second phase would include the release of all remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The third phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from the war’s devastation.
That could expose Netanyahu to new elections, scrutiny over security failures that led to the war and, if he loses the prime minister post, prosecution on longstanding corruption charges.
In a statement after the date of the address was finalized, Schumer said he has “clear and profound disagreements with the Prime Minister, which I have voiced both privately and publicly and will continue to do so. Because America has an ironclad relationship with Israel, I joined the request for him to speak.
Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the U.S. — who delivered a stinging rebuke of Netanyahu in March — said in a separate statement Thursday night that he has “clear and profound disagreements” with the Israeli leader but joined in the request for him to speak “because America’s relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends one person or prime minister.”
The Israeli prime minister is expected to address the Congress on July 24, setting the stage for what is expected to be a contentious speech at a critical time in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The Congressional leaders extended their formal invite to Netanyahu at the end of May, and noted that the Israeli President had addressed Congress last year.
The letter invites the Israeli leader “to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combatting terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region.”
The speech is expected to be contentious. Several Congressional Democrats have already signaled plans to boycott the address over concerns about the way Israel has prosecuted its war against Hamas. Congressional Democrats have differing views over support of Israel.
The announcement comes a week after President Biden announced that Israel has offered a proposal offering a “roadmap” to a ceasefire and release of hostages being held in Gaza.
In response, Israel issued a statement saying Netanyahu authorized a proposal in order to return the hostages to Israel, but said “the war will not end until all of [the Israeli government’s] goals are achieved, including the return of all our abductees and the elimination of Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities.”