Israel’s prime minister is set to deliver a speech to Congress amid growing anger over his government’s abuses in Gaza.
Top US lawmakers have formally invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a speech to Congress, in the latest show of support for Israel in its war on Gaza.
The invitation from Republican and Democratic leaders to the Senate and House of Representatives comes Friday as the International Criminal Court considers issuing an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes.
“To build on our enduring relationship and underscore America’s solidarity with Israel, we invite you to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combating terrorism, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region,” the statement said. letter.
He did not specify a date for the speech.
I have the honor to invite Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to speak at a joint meeting of Congress. pic.twitter.com/rYKx0Z1p93
– President Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) May 31, 2024
The letter was signed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
If he accepts the invitation, Netanyahu would surpass the late former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as the foreign leader who has given the most speeches to a joint session of Congress.
Churchill – who led his country during World War II and helped defeat Nazi Germany – and Netanyahu each addressed Congress three times.
Netanyahu is facing global outrage over Israel’s apparent abuses in Gaza, where the Israeli military has killed more than 36,000 people and destroyed large parts of the territory.
Israel has also imposed a strict blockade on Gaza, bringing the territory to the brink of famine.
Netanyahu’s government defied its Western allies, including the United States, this month by launching a major attack in Rafah in southern Gaza, where nearly 1.5 million Palestinians had taken refuge. The offensive has displaced a million Palestinians.
An Israeli bombing of a displaced persons camp in Rafah earlier this month killed 45 Palestinians and sparked international outrage.
But the American Congress remains resolutely pro-Israel, even if some Democrats are becoming increasingly critical of Netanyahu.
In March, Schumer called for new elections in Israel and called Netanyahu an obstacle to peace, citing the Israeli prime minister’s opposition to the two-state solution.
The invitation from Congress on Friday angered Palestinian rights activists. Actress Cynthia Nixon called it “disgraceful” in a social media post addressing Schumer.
“Maybe Netanyahu can be arrested for his war crimes in the Senate,” she wrote.
Earlier on Friday, US President Joe Biden outlined a proposal he said would lead to a “lasting” ceasefire in Gaza.
The three-phase plan would see the release of Israeli captives in the territory, as well as hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, Biden said.
The initiative, which Biden said was proposed by Israel, marks a shift in position by the US administration, which had sought only a temporary truce while supporting Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas .
“President Biden understands that letting this war drag on well beyond his election is not going to be something that actually works for him politically,” Palestinian-American analyst Omar Baddar told Tel Aviv Tribune.
“It’s incredibly costly and damaging for him, and I think that’s why he’s putting his foot down at this point and putting enormous pressure on Israel to accept the ceasefire agreement. -fire.”