Democratic lawmakers are grappling with whether to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the U.S. Congress amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Many Democrats are expressing their support for Israel but are deeply troubled by the military operations in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed. The partisan divide is creating a tense atmosphere ahead of the speech, which is typically a bipartisan show of support for an American ally.
Tensions between Netanyahu and Democratic President Joe Biden have been escalating, with Netanyahu accusing the Biden administration of withholding U.S. weapons from Israel, a claim that the White House has denied. The invitation for Netanyahu to address Congress came from House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, after consultation with the White House. However, there is no scheduled meeting between Netanyahu and Biden during the visit.
Some Democrats are criticizing the decision to invite Netanyahu, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressing her displeasure with his leadership. Others, like Rep. Michael McCaul, believe it would be beneficial for both parties to listen to Netanyahu’s perspective on the conflict. The upcoming address has created a divide among Democrats, with some planning to attend to show support for Israel while others are considering boycotting the speech.
There have been signs of discontent within Israel over Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict, with Benny Gantz, a former military chief, resigning from the war Cabinet, citing frustration with the prime minister’s conduct. Critics in Israel are supporting a ceasefire proposal, which has led to growing unrest within the country. Some Democrats are waiting to see if Netanyahu will still be prime minister by the time he is scheduled to speak to Congress.
Notable Democrats, including Rep. Seth Magaziner and Rep. Beyer, have expressed concerns about attending the address, with Beyer describing his experience during Netanyahu’s 2015 speech as painful. The Congressional Progressive Caucus, which has been critical of Israel’s actions, is expected to have many members skip the speech. Some members of Congress are planning alternative events to discuss a path forward for Israelis and Palestinians, including a two-state solution.
Netanyahu’s visit is expected to draw significant protests, and some members of Congress are considering ways to address the conflict and seek a peaceful solution. Rep. Jim Clyburn, a vocal critic of Netanyahu’s 2015 address, is working on bringing like-minded individuals together to exchange ideas for a way forward. The divisive nature of Netanyahu’s address underscores the challenges faced by Democrats in balancing support for Israel with concerns over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
