WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� Israeli Prime Minister is set to address a joint meeting of Congress on July 24, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Congressional leaders last week formally invited Netanyahu to come speak, delivering the most recent show of support for the longtime ally despite mounting political divisions over Israel鈥檚 military assault on Hamas in Gaza. But the date of the speech had been in flux. It has now been set for July 24, according to the person, who was granted anonymity to discuss private planning.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, along with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, signed the letter extending the invitation to Netanyahu. They said the offer was intended to 鈥渉ighlight America鈥檚 solidarity with Israel.鈥�
Netanyahu's appearance before a growingly divided Congress is sure to be contentious and met with plenty of protests both inside the Capitol from lawmakers and outside by pro-Palestinian protesters. And it will put on stark display the growing election-year divisions among Democrats over the prime minister鈥檚 prosecution of the monthslong war against Hamas.
Democratic lawmakers most critical of Netanyahu鈥檚 strategy are expected to be no-shows for the address. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont, said: 鈥淣etanyahu is a war criminal. I certainly will not attend.鈥�
Netanyahu鈥檚 visit to the Capitol also comes as the relationship between President Joe Biden and the leader of the Jewish state has frayed in recent months. Biden has privately and publicly criticized Netanyahu鈥檚 handling of the war and criticized the Israeli government for not letting more humanitarian into Gaza.
Late last week, Biden announced a to end the fighting in Gaza, putting growing pressure on Netanyahu to accept the deal. Many Israelis have been urging him to embrace the terms, but his far-right allies have threatened to leave his coalition government if he does.
Netanyahu called a permanent cease-fire in Gaza a 鈥渘onstarter鈥� until long-standing conditions for ending are met, appearing to undermine the proposal that Biden described as an Israeli one.
Johnson first suggested inviting the Israeli leader, saying it would be 鈥渁 great honor of mine鈥� to invite him. His move came soon after Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the U.S., delivered a of Netanyahu in a lengthy speech on the Senate floor. Schumer said in the speech that Netanyahu had 鈥渓ost his way鈥� amid the Israeli bombing campaign in Gaza.
Even so, Schumer had said he would join in the invitation because 鈥渙ur relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends any one prime minister or president.鈥�
Farnoush Amiri, Lisa Mascaro And Mary Clare Jalonick, The Associated Press
