Netanyahu to deal with Congress for first time since Oct. 7 assault on Israel

WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday afternoon, his first since Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel killed 1,200 individuals and resulted within the taking of hostages to Gaza, the place about 100 are nonetheless believed to be held captive.

Netanyahu’s speech at 2 p.m. ET comes at a essential interval: The U.S. is in the course of a chaotic election year, and the Biden administration continues to push negotiators toward a cease-fire agreement that might finish the conflict in Gaza, the place the loss of life toll has surpassed an estimated 30,000 individuals, in accordance with the Hamas-run Ministry of Well being.

“In my speech, I’ll emphasize the significance of bipartisan assist for Israel, I’ll handle our buddies on either side of the map and inform them that no matter who might be chosen to guide the American individuals after the presidential elections, Israel is crucial ally of the US within the Center East, an irreplaceable ally,” Netanyahu mentioned earlier than he left for the U.S., in accordance with his workplace.

He added, “I feel that on this time of conflict and uncertainty, it’s of utmost significance that our enemies know that the US and Israel stand collectively — immediately, tomorrow and without end.”

Netanyahu was initially invited by Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to deal with Congress amid the protests and encampments that shaped on faculty campuses this spring.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who because the president of the Senate would usually preside over such an occasion, will not attend. Neither will a number of different distinguished Democrats. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., an Orthodox Jew and chairman of the International Relation Committee, will preside over the handle, as a substitute.

Harris is scheduled to be in Indianapolis on Wednesday as she embarks on her presidential marketing campaign now that President Joe Biden has dropped out of the race.

Johnson mentioned Tuesday that it’s “inexcusable” that Harris is skipping Netanyahu’s speech and that she must be “held accountable” for it.

Harris and Biden are anticipated to fulfill individually with Netanyahu throughout his go to to Washington this week. Biden and Netanyahu are additionally anticipated to fulfill on the White Home on Thursday with kinfolk of the American hostages nonetheless held in Gaza, a supply acquainted with the matter mentioned. On Friday morning, Netanyahu is scheduled to fulfill with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, his residence in Palm Seaside, Florida.

Trump’s vice presidential decide, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, can even be lacking Netanyahu’s speech as a result of “he has duties to satisfy because the Republican nominee for Vice President,” Jason Miller, senior adviser to the Trump marketing campaign, mentioned in a press release.

Whereas Netanyahu is prone to obtain a heat welcome from Republican lawmakers, it will likely be extra lukewarm from Democrats, a few of whom have mentioned they plan to boycott his speech.

Greater than two dozen Democrats within the Home and the Senate have mentioned they plan to skip it, together with former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., her spokesperson Ian Krager mentioned in a brand new assertion Wednesday. “This morning, she’s going to be part of a Members assembly with Israeli residents whose households have suffered within the wake of the October seventh Hamas terror assault and kidnappings,” he mentioned.

Different Democrats skipping the handle are Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, of Illinois, and Rep. James Clyburn, of South Carolina. Progressives like Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., a member of the “squad,” and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., are additionally skipping the speech, as are a number of Jewish members of Congress, together with Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. These selecting to boycott are outraged at Israel’s dealing with of the conflict in Gaza and the humanitarian disaster there.

“The Hamas assault on October 7 was unprovoked and cowardly, and its continued holding of hostages unconscionable,” Durbin mentioned in a press release. “Nevertheless, Israel’s execution of its conflict in Gaza below the route of Prime Minister Netanyahu with 39,000 Palestinians useless and 90,000 injured is a brutal technique past any acceptable degree of self-defense. … I’ll stand by Israel, however I can’t stand and cheer its present Prime Minister at tomorrow’s Joint Session.” 

Notably, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the president professional tempore of the Senate and one other candidate to supervise a joint assembly of Congress, will not be going, both. “Securing an enduring, mutual ceasefire is of the utmost significance proper now, and I’ll proceed to push for one to be reached as quickly as attainable,” Murray mentioned in a press release. “I hope Prime Minister Netanyahu will use the chance to deal with how he plans to safe a ceasefire—and lasting peace within the area.”

The chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., who will not be attending, both, mentioned Tuesday that she doesn’t suppose Netanyahu is all for peace within the Center East.

“He definitely hasn’t had an curiosity in bringing dwelling hostage households,” Jayapal mentioned. “I feel he’s — he could also be shilling for Donald Trump, however, , that’s at the price of safety for Israel, it’s at the price of safety for the Palestinians, and it’s at the price of peace, extra broadly, within the Center East and definitely at the price of bringing dwelling the households of the hostages which might be there, together with the eight American hostages that also stay.”

Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., the primary Technology Z member of Congress, will boycott the speech, as properly. “I detest [Netanyahu’s] management. I feel what’s occurring in Gaza is horrible,” Frost mentioned Tuesday. “He opposes a two-state answer, which is what we’re for as a rustic — it is the coverage of our nation. I don’t suppose he ought to have been invited within the first place.”

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., is the primary GOP lawmaker to say he’ll boycott the speech, saying on X, “The aim of getting Netanyahu handle Congress is to bolster his political standing in Israel and to quell int’l opposition to his conflict.”

“I don’t really feel like being a prop so I gained’t be attending,” he mentioned.

The highest two lawmakers in every social gathering — Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.; Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.; and Johnson — are all collaborating in a gathering with Netanyahu forward of his speech.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., an ardent supporter of Israel who’s attending, mentioned he needed to listen to from Netanyahu about how he plans to carry the hostages dwelling and what to do about Iran.

Netanyahu final addressed Congress in March 2015, and this handle, his fourth as prime minister, is anticipated to attract “numerous demonstrators,” in accordance with U.S. Capitol Police, which mentioned it has enhanced safety measures in anticipation of protests, together with erecting the identical fencing across the Capitol that was used after the Jan. 6, 2021, assault. The division additionally swore in additional than 200 New York law enforcement officials to help in policing occasions this week in Washington, in accordance with Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry, who shared a video of the swearing-in on X.

In anticipation of the speech, greater than 200 Jewish Voice for Peace protesters were arrested after they demonstrated in one of many Home workplace buildings Tuesday and chanted pro-Palestinian slogans, Capitol Police mentioned.

Greater than two dozen former senior officers who labored in Israel’s safety institution — just like the Mossad and Shin Wager — and Israeli companies have additionally voiced opposition to Netanyahu’s talking earlier than Congress. In a letter addressed to congressional leaders, obtained Tuesday by NBC Information, they mentioned they’ve “grave considerations” in regards to the “injury” Netanyahu’s go to will do to the U.S. and Israel’s joint aims. The letter’s signers embody former Mossad Director Tamir Pardo, former Protection Minister Moshe Ya’alon and former Israel Protection Forces chief of workers Dan Halutz, amongst others, a few of whom labored below Netanyahu’s management.

The Biden administration has continued working behind the scenes to attempt to attain a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared to express some optimism late final week when he mentioned the negotiators have been “driving towards the purpose line.”