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Senior congressman labels Netanyahu 'worst leader in Jewish history'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
24 Jul 2024 01:40

US lawmakers and leading Democratic officials have directed their criticism at Netanyahu ahead of his pivotal address to Congress on Wednesday.

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Representative Jerry Nadler arrives to hear for US Attorney David Weiss in an interview before members of the House Judiciary Committee, in Washington. the United States, on November 7, 2023. (AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "the worst leader in Jewish history," United States Congressman Jerrold Nadler said ahead of Netanyahu's address to a joint session of the US Congress.

Nadler, a Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee and the most senior Jewish member of the House of Representatives, released an extensive statement on Tuesday, blasting Netanyahu's performance as Israeli prime minister.

Nadler asserted that Netanyhau's address to Congress "is not in service of furthering the deep ties" between the US and "Israel", but is a "cynical stunt."

He said that Netanyahu would take advantage of the opportunity to aid his "desperate political standing at home and meddling in domestic American politics," just before the presidential election.

"There is no question in my mind that tomorrow’s speech should not be happening," Nadler stated.

Netanyahu is putting region at risk to maintain far-right coalition

Nadler pointed to a poll that found that 72% of Israelis think Netanyahu should resign, underlining the three separate legal cases of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust that the Israeli prime minister faces. The congressman accused Netanyahu of ensuing an agenda to "erode Israeli democratic norms," that would likely dismiss his legal case.

Nadler also criticized Netanyahu for the events of October 7 and his attempts to "plant the seeds to seek to blame military leadership for the failings of October 7th."

Furthermore, the Jewish congressman blasted Netanyahu for failing to reach an agreement that would secure the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza.

"The Prime Minister is putting the security of Israel, the lives of the hostages, and the stability of the region in perilous jeopardy, simply to maintain the stability of his far-right coalition," Nadler added.

Nadler, by his own admission, is no stranger to extremist thought, as he proclaims himself a "lifelong Zionist" in the same statement. He also "voted countless times" in his 32 years in Congress to arm Israeli occupation forces, which he intends to continue.

Many Democrats to skip Netanyahu's speech

Despite Nadler's many criticisms of Netanyahu, he stated that his commitments to "Israel" would necessitate his attendance at Wednesday's Congress session.

Yet, several of his lawmakers and high-ranking officials from the Democratic Party will not attend Netanyahu's address. This situation has sparked bickering between Democrats and Republicans, being weaponized for political purposes ahead of the crucial presidential election.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming election, will be busy in Indianapolis giving a keynote speech, however, her office refuses to adopt her action as a form of boycott.

President pro tempore of the United States Senate Patty Murray, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Tim Kaine, and Senator Chris Van Hollen are among those who will not attend Netanyahu's speech.

On the other hand, Republican leaders have criticized Harris for her supposed "boycotting" of Netanyahu's speech, as America's leading political parties squabble over US-Israeli ties.

"It is outrageous to me and inexcusable that Kamala Harris is boycotting [Netanyahu’s speech]. Kamala Harris will abandon her seat. She will not be there because she refuses to attend. She needs to be held accountable for that," Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson said on Tuesday.

A Netanyahu visit to the United States has long been avoided by the Biden administration, which refused to host him due to his government's push for controversial legal reforms. This time, Netanyahu's arrival has not only sparked boycotts from key Democratic figures but has also incited protests against the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. These developments highlight the deepening divisions both in inner and shared US and Israeli politics, setting the stage for the key election on November 5, 2024.