Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has decided to postpone a trip to Israel originally planned for this weekend, where he was set to address the Knesset amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
Johnson was meant to speak in Jerusalem on Sunday, becoming the third speaker to engage with Israeli lawmakers. However, following Israel’s reported preemptive strike on Iran, which triggered a series of missile exchanges, he opted to delay his visit.
“Given the complicated situation evolving between Iran and Israel, Chairman Ohana and I have chosen to postpone the special session of Knesset,” Johnson stated on Monday, referring to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. “We hope to reschedule our addresses soon and send our thoughts and prayers to the people of Israel and the Middle East.”
The future details of Johnson’s travel remain uncertain.
He had announced the trip to Knesset last week, amidst rising concerns over anti-Semitic attacks in the United States. His planned appearance would have followed those of former speakers Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who also spoke to the Israeli governing body.
Johnson remarked that addressing the Knesset was “one of the highest honors of my life” when he first announced the trip.
The decision to delay his travel comes shortly after Israel conducted strikes targeting Tehran’s nuclear and military facilities, which elicited a retaliatory response from Iran, leading to an exchange of attacks.
Both Israel and the United States have been working to curtail Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The Trump administration clarified that the U.S. was not involved in these Israeli operations.
Following the initial strike, Johnson expressed strong support for Israel, emphasizing the alliance and stating that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons. “President Trump and his administration have made relentless efforts to ensure that outcome. Unfortunately, Iran has refused to comply and declared plans to establish a new enrichment facility,” he noted on social media. “Israel has the right to defend itself, and Iran will face significant repercussions if it unjustly targets our interests.”
