Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address US lawmakers in Washington DC on July 24, as announced by congressional leaders on Thursday.
He will address both the Senate and the House of Representatives amidst the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
Both Republican and Democratic leaders extended the invitation to Netanyahu, although the official date was only confirmed recently.
Last month, the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor sought arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, citing charges related to the conflict.
Netanyahu denounced the ICC’s actions, stating his disgust at the comparison of “democratic Israel” to “mass murderers.”
According to a statement from congressional leaders, Netanyahu expressed his gratitude, saying he was “very moved to have the privilege of representing Israel… to present the truth about our just war against those who seek to destroy us.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, both Republicans, expressed in their invitation letter the hope that Netanyahu would outline the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combating terrorism, and pursuing lasting peace in the region.
Netanyahu’s visit comes at a time of strained relations with the US, particularly among leading Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is Jewish, supported the invitation despite having “clear and profound disagreements with the Prime Minister.”
Schumer emphasized the enduring strength of the US-Israel relationship, which he believes transcends individual leaders.
US President Joe Biden has also become more critical of Israel as the conflict persists and the death toll in Gaza rises.
Facing re-election in November, Biden is under pressure from his party’s progressive wing to urge Israel to limit its actions in Gaza.
Progressive leaders, including Senator Bernie Sanders, plan to boycott Netanyahu’s speech in protest of Israel’s actions.
The conflict escalated following an October 7 attack by Hamas-led fighters, which resulted in about 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken in southern Israel.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, at least 36,470 people have been killed in Gaza over nearly eight months of fighting.
Recently, President Biden proposed a ceasefire plan aiming for a six-week cessation of hostilities, a “surge” of humanitarian aid, and a hostage exchange, with the goal of a permanent end to the war.
However, the proposal faces opposition from some Israeli government members, casting doubt on its potential success.
Hanoch Milwidsky, a senior Knesset member from Netanyahu’s Likud Party, stated that the coalition uniformly opposes the deal, calling it “completely unacceptable.”
Netanyahu last addressed the US Congress in 2015, using the opportunity to criticize then-President Barack Obama’s efforts to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran.
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