Staff Reports
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress has sparked division within the Democratic Party. Schumer’s top deputy, Sen. Dick Durbin, expressed his disagreement, stating he would not have signed the invitation letter. This move has caused concern among Democrats critical of Netanyahu’s military actions in Gaza. Schumer, a staunch supporter of Israel, only added his name to the invitation after weeks of contemplation.
The discord reflects broader tensions over Israel's military response in Gaza, which has strained the relationship between Democrats and Israel. President Joe Biden has opposed Israel’s planned invasion of Rafah, emphasizing the need for a two-state solution for Gaza's future. However, Netanyahu has consistently rejected the idea of Palestinian sovereignty, further complicating the issue.
Durbin breaks with Schumer on Netanyahu address to Congress: “I would not have sent a letter of invitation” https://t.co/1EhFse1l2k
— David Sivak (@DISivak) June 4, 2024
Durbin pointed to Netanyahu’s resistance to a two-state solution as his reason for opposing the invitation. The timing of Netanyahu’s speech remains uncertain, as a proposed date coincided with a Jewish holiday, leading to its rejection by the Israeli government. If Netanyahu addresses Congress, it will be his fourth joint session, the most by any foreign leader. His last address in 2015, invited by then-Speaker John Boehner, saw some Democrats boycotting the event.
The invitation underscores the ongoing challenges between Democrats and Netanyahu’s conservative government, including criticisms from the Biden administration over Netanyahu’s judicial reform efforts. Schumer’s decision to invite Netanyahu has highlighted the internal divide within the Democratic Party regarding its stance on Israel.
