House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Wednesday that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has agreed to allow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to give a joint address to Congress. This decision comes after almost the entire congressional leadership and President Joe Biden condemned the International Criminal Court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, for seeking arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and senior Hamas officials.
While Schumer has been critical of Netanyahu in the past, his agreement to the joint address shows a willingness to hear from the Israeli leader. However, the response among Democrats has been mixed. Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin deferred their comments, while Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania welcomed the visit.
On the other hand, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Bernie Sanders expressed concerns about inviting Netanyahu, citing his actions in Gaza. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also criticized the invitation, calling it divisive and unproductive.
Despite the pushback from some Democrats, House Speaker Mike Johnson defended his decision to invite Netanyahu, emphasizing the importance of hearing from a key ally. Representative Ritchie Torres acknowledged Netanyahu’s right to address Congress but cautioned against the potential polarization his presence may cause.
The United States’ support for Israel continues, despite recent recognition of a Palestinian state by Ireland, Norway, and Spain. The debate over Netanyahu’s address highlights the complexities of US-Israel relations and the differing opinions within the Democratic Party on how to approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.