The highly anticipated speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the US Congress is surrounded by controversy, with tensions between him and the current administration at an all-time high. This is not the first time Netanyahu has faced backlash from the Democratic Party, as nine years ago, nearly 60 Democrats boycotted his speech, citing it as a slight to then-President Barack Obama, who was negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran. This time around, the number of Democratic absences is expected to be significantly higher.
Netanyahu’s upcoming speech has sparked an extraordinary charged atmosphere among Congressional Democrats, who are torn between their long-standing support for Israel and their distress over the conduct of military operations in Gaza. According to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run territory, over 37,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the Hamas attack on October 7 that triggered the war. While some Democrats plan to attend the speech out of respect for Israel, a growing faction has expressed reservations due to Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a prominent Democrat, has publicly criticized Netanyahu’s leadership, stating, “I wish that he would be a statesman and do what is right for Israel. We all love Israel. We need to help them and not have him stand in the way of that for so long.” She added, “I think it’s going to invite more of what we’ve seen in terms of discontent among our own.” Pelosi is not the only one expressing concerns; many Democrats are worried that Netanyahu’s visit is a Republican ploy to divide their party.
Israel’s Leader Set to Address US Congress
The invitation to Netanyahu came after a consultation with the White House, but no meeting between the two leaders has been scheduled. Tensions between Netanyahu and the administration have been running high due to claims of withheld US weapons. Netanyahu has accused the Biden administration of withholding arms, a charge the White House has denied. The controversy surrounding Netanyahu’s visit has sparked debate, with some Republicans defending his invitation, while Democrats are deeply divided.
House Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, believes it is “healthy” for members of both parties to attend the speech. However, many Democrats remain skeptical, with some skipping the speech altogether. Israeli leaders are also divided over the war, with many criticizing Netanyahu’s conduct. Benny Gantz, a former military chief and centrist politician, recently withdrew from Netanyahu’s war Cabinet, citing frustration over the prime minister’s handling of the war.
As the date of the speech approaches, it is unclear how many Democrats will attend and whether the visit will further strain relations between the two nations. The controversy surrounding Netanyahu’s visit reflects the deep division over US-Israel relations and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
