Netanyahu to Address US Congress Amid War and U.S. Political Turmoil

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday afternoon, marking his first appearance since Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and numerous hostages being taken to Gaza. According to NBC News, House Speaker Mike Johnson invited Netanyahu to address Congress despite widespread protests and campus demonstrations. Netanyahu’s speech at 2 p.m. ET (12 p.m Belize time) aims to reinforce bipartisan support for Israel amid a chaotic U.S. election year and ongoing Biden administration efforts to broker a cease-fire in Gaza, where according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, the death toll has exceeded 39,000.

Criticism of Netanyahu’s handling of the war has grown. Some Congress members, including Senator Bernie Sanders, plan to skip the speech in protest. He said, “It will be the first time in American history that a war criminal has been given that honor. Frankly, this invitation to Netanyahu is a disgrace and something we will look back on with regret.”

Vice President Kamala Harris will not preside over Netanyahu’s address, as she will be in Indianapolis, but she is set to meet with him on Thursday. Biden, who has had a strained relationship with Netanyahu over the war, will also meet with the Israeli leader on Thursday. Former President Donald Trump and Netanyahu will also meet on Friday at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, reported CNN. 

Currently, there are ongoing protests outside the U.S. Congress in Washington, DC, ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.