House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress and Senate.
Johnson Announced On Friday, he said he was “honored” to invite Netanyahu to “address a joint session of Parliament.”
In his letter to Netanyahu, Johnson wrote that “last year” Parliament proudly hosted Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Washington, D.C., and that Netanyahu was invited to address a “joint session of Parliament.”
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 19: Israeli President Isaac Herzog addresses a joint session of the United States Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on July 19, 2023. Herzog’s speech on the House floor was controversial as some liberal Democratic lawmakers planned to boycott the Israeli president’s speech (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The letter was signed by Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
“Last year, Congress was honored to host Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Washington to celebrate 75 years of friendship and cooperation between our two democracies,” the letter begins. “Less than three months later, the horrific attacks of October 7 shocked the world and forced your nation into an existential fight. We join the State of Israel in the fight against terrorism, especially as Hamas continues to capture American and Israeli citizens and its leaders endanger regional stability.”
It is an honor to invite Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel to address this joint session of Congress. pic.twitter.com/rYKx0Z1p93
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) May 31, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 1: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) arrives to deliver closing remarks at the Hill and Valley Forum on AI Security in Washington, DC on May 1, 2024. The Hill and Valley Forum is a bipartisan, private community of lawmakers and innovators dedicated to exploring emerging technologies relevant to national security challenges. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“To that end, on behalf of the bipartisan leadership of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, I ask that you address a joint session of Congress,” the letter added.
The letter comes as senior Democratic Party officials sharply criticize Netanyahu over Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Hamas terrorists launched a land, sea and air invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.
In response to Hamas’ attacks, Israel announced a “total enclosure” of the Gaza Strip and launched a military offensive to destroy Hamas.
Schumer previously called on Israel to hold new elections to choose Netanyahu’s successor, adding that Netanyahu has “lost his way.”
Senator Bernie Sanders (Independent, Vermont) Responded In response to news that Netanyahu had been invited to speak in parliament but said he would not attend, calling him a “war criminal,” the prime minister said he would not attend.
More recently, President Joe Biden, who has come under criticism for his support for Israel in its ongoing war with Hamas, has unveiled a plan to end the war in Gaza.
Biden said his proposed plan would have three phases. The first phase would begin with a six-week ceasefire during which Israel and Hamas would negotiate a more permanent ceasefire. The first phase would also see the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) withdraw from populated areas of the Gaza Strip.
Under Biden’s proposed plan, hostages held by Hamas would also be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
