Staff Reports
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has reportedly turned down a proposed date to deliver a joint session of Congress on June 13. The long-awaited speech, which would likely refuel tensions on Capitol Hill over Israel’s conflict in Gaza, has sparked controversy.
Despite earlier reports that Netanyahu would give his address next Thursday, his office denied that an exact date had been set. They explained that the speech couldn’t happen on the proposed date due to it coinciding with the Jewish holiday Shavuot.
Furthermore, if Netanyahu spoke on June 13, it would occur when President Joe Biden is expected to be at the G7 summit in Italy. The Israeli prime minister was invited by several prominent United States lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, among others.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s office has rejected a proposed date to deliver a joint session of Congress on June 13, a long-awaited speech that will likely heighten tensions on Capitol Hill over Israel’s war in Gaza. https://t.co/0ydXVEdLmk
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) June 4, 2024
Netanyahu’s last address before Congress was in 2015, where he criticized the Iran nuclear deal. This upcoming speech comes amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Despite Biden’s recent ceasefire proposal, Netanyahu’s office maintained that the war will persist until Hamas is completely defeated. The prime minister’s speech also coincides with the International Criminal Court’s application for an arrest warrant over allegations of war crimes against Netanyahu, which has been met with opposition from both U.S. lawmakers and the Biden administration.
While the attendance for Netanyahu’s address remains uncertain, some figures have expressed their opposition. Sen. Bernie Sanders has vowed not to attend, referring to Netanyahu as a war criminal. Similarly, Rep. Rashida Tlaib has been outspoken against Netanyahu and the Gaza conflict. Nonetheless, Netanyahu’s expected address will likely reignite debates and disputes over the ongoing conflict.
