US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said that he is about to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a speech in Congress even if the Democratic leader in the Senate does not agree to that, while diplomats from pro-Israel countries suggested that the issuance of arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court would strain relations with it. .
Johnson told reporters in the Congress building that he had given Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer until Tuesday to sign a letter calling on Netanyahu to speak at a joint session.
He added, “If he does not agree, we will move forward and invite Netanyahu to the House of Representatives only.”
For his part, Schumer said in his weekly press conference that he discussed the matter with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and that the United States’ relationship with Israel is strong and goes beyond any prime minister or president.
The potential division between the two parties on this issue highlights the political impact of the American approach towards Israel, months before the presidential elections scheduled for November, in which Democratic President Joe Biden will compete against former Republican President Donald Trump.
Republicans criticized Biden for withholding an arms shipment that was intended for Israel, even though preparations for other shipments had not stopped.
Netanyahu, who has long leaned toward Republicans, in March delivered a teleconference to GOP senators, about a week after Schumer delivered a speech in the Senate in which he described the prime minister as an obstacle to peace and urged new elections in Israel. .
Giving a speech at a joint session of the US House of Representatives and Senate is a rare honor that is usually reserved for the United States’ closest allies or major international figures.
Arrest warrants
In the same context, diplomats from pro-Israel countries suggested that the issuance of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court for leaders in Israel would lead to tense relations with it.
Haaretz newspaper quoted the aforementioned diplomats as saying that there are countries that will find it very difficult to continue business as usual with Netanyahu and Gallant, and that meetings with Netanyahu – the diplomats add – will be like meeting with Putin if the state criminal issues arrest warrants.
The diplomats explained to Haaretz that their countries will maintain their relationship with Israel on several levels, but there will be no personal meetings with those against whom an arrest warrant will be issued.
