Netanyahu Congress speech expected to be disrupted, boycotted
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's awaited address to the US Congress is expected to be unwelcomed by a sizeable number of Democrat Congress members.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at Yad LeBanim in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, May 12, 2024 (AP)
As the US Congress braces for Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address in a few weeks, Axios reported that much of the Democrat caucus will not attend the speech, and while it is not a majority, it is enough lawmakers to create a stir within the Democratic party and along partisan lines.
This comes in continuation of how some Democrats have been vocal about their rejection of the Israeli occupation's genocide in Gaza under Netanyahu.
The Dems have numerous issues with the speech, one is his unpopularity within the party and the other is that many fear that the Republicans invited Netanyahu to give his address merely to utilize the party's view of the Israeli premier to cause infighting among the Democrats, with many arguing against inviting him in the first place.
If the speech is boycotted, it is not unlikely that it would be reminiscent of when the Israeli premier addressed Congress in 2015 under Obama, as 58 Democratic lawmakers boycotted the speech, and due as the Israeli war crimes in Gaza are still ongoing, it would not be surprising if even more members of the Democratic caucus miss the speech.
The boycott is expected to be "large", and there are "a lot of people who are extremely upset he is coming here," Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal told Axios, adding that many of the Congress members who attended the 2015 address said they would be skipping this upcoming one.
Moreover, one House Democrat told Axios on the condition of anonymity that many members of the Democratic caucus said they would not make a decision right now and would wait until the very end to see if they would or would not attend, with some saying that attending the speech would hinge on whether a ceasefire resolution is reached by the time it takes place.
There are those opposed to Netanyahu who will be attending. However, they are doing so with the aim of disrupting the speech. One senior House Democrat said it is "all being discussed" and that "a number [of Democrats] are going and disrupting" the speech.
Criticism for Congress
US Senator Bernie Sanders has sharply criticized the decision to invite Netanyahu to address Congress, labeling him a "war criminal." Sanders, a leftist independent, expressed deep disappointment with congressional leaders from both parties for extending the invitation.
"It is a very sad day for our country that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited – by leaders from both parties – to address a joint meeting of the United States Congress," Sanders stated. "Netanyahu is a war criminal. He should not be invited to address a joint meeting of Congress. I certainly will not attend."
The invitation to Netanyahu was extended on Friday by a bipartisan group of congressional leaders, including Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
Netanyahu is likely to deliver his address following the August Congressional recess.
A statement quoted him expressing he was "thrilled by the privilege of representing Israel before both houses of Congress, and of presenting, to the representatives of the American people and the entire world, the truth about our righteous war against those who seek our destruction."
House Speaker Mike Johnson extended the official invitation to Netanyahu on Friday to address a joint session of Congress. The invitation bears the signatures of all four Congressional leaders: Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The letter reads: "We join the State of Israel in your fight against terrorism, especially as Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens and its leaders endanger regional stability."
It continues, "Therefore, on behalf of the bipartisan leadership of the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, we would like to invite you to address a joint session of Congress."
A source familiar with the situation, as reported by The Hill, noted that the speech is expected to occur "within the next eight weeks or immediately after the August recess."
