Netanyahu says proposal 'non-starters' without Hamas elimination

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Jun 2024 05:45

US Senator Bernie Sanders slams the bipartisan congressional invitation to Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a "war criminal" as tensions over a ceasefire proposal arise.

Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in the prime minister's office in al-Quds, occupied Palestine, June 25, 2023. (AP)

Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated on Saturday that any suggestion of Israel agreeing to a permanent ceasefire before "the destruction of Hamas' military and governing capabilities" was "a non-starter."

This comes after earlier, Netanyahu, an experienced politician, made a statement just after US President Joe Biden's announcement of a proposal to "end the war". The initial response by Netanyahu noted that he had "authorised the negotiating team to present a proposal," adding that it must "enable Israel to continue the war until all its objectives are achieved."

The morning after, Netanyahu aimed to deflect any headlines implying he considered the US proposal a "non-starter," if it does not allow for "Israel" to achieve all its goals including the destruction of Hamas both militarily and politically.

It is worth noting that the US proposal was also referenced by the German Foreign Minister as the "Israeli offer".

These events unfolded consequentially with the invite sent by US bipartisan leaders to Netanyahu to give a speech in a joint session of Congress.

In response, Netanyahu had expressed that 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."

Sanders slams Netanyahu's invite to Congress

In turn, US Senator Bernie Sanders, on Saturday, criticized congressional leaders for inviting Netanyahu, whom he labelled a "war criminal," to address a joint session of Congress.

"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 said in a post on X adding that "Netanyahu is a war criminal. He should not be invited to address a joint meeting of Congress. I certainly will not attend."

Additionally, Sanders underscored "The ICC is seeking warrants for the arrest of Netanyahu and Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas. The ICC is right. Both of these people are engaged in clear and outrageous violations of international law."

Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal. He should not be invited to address a joint meeting of Congress. I certainly will not attend.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 1, 2024