Some Democratic members of Congress are revealing they would boycott Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming address to a joint session of Congress amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, even though no formal invitation has been sent yet.
Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar from Minnesota, a member of the progressive congressional group known as “The Squad,” slammed House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, for their proposal to invite Prime Minister Netanyahu to address Congress, calling it “disgusting.”
“I think it is probably one of the most morally corrupt thing that we can do in this moment,” she added, noting the baseless accusation of Mr. Netanyahu “carrying out a genocide, forced starvation of the people of Gaza.”
“People want to make a political point to support Netanyahu and his policies in Gaza, which I do not support myself for the record,” said Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.).
Representative Ro Khanna from California, a Democrat, stated that the current moment is not appropriate for the Israeli leader to address Congress.
Representative Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut, the leading Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said, “I probably would not go.”
Representative Gerry Connolly from Virginia said he is “concerned about the timing.” But he said he might attend were it to happen.
Representative Delia Ramirez from Illinois has stated her intention to boycott the speech.
Representative Delia Ramirez from Illinois has said she would boycott the speech.
The most recent instance of Mr. Netanyahu addressing Congress dates back to 2015. During that address, he voiced his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal, cautioning against granting Tehran sanctions relief without sufficiently addressing its nuclear ambitions and other destabilizing activities, such as its sponsorship of terrorism.
This speech sparked controversy, with several Democrats choosing to boycott it, and the Obama administration declining to meet with Mr. Netanyahu during his visit.
Speculation initially surfaced on March 20 suggesting that the Republican House Speaker was considering extending an invitation to the Israeli leader to speak before Congress.
When questioned about this during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” program on March 21, Mr. Johnson confirmed that plans for such an invitation were indeed underway.
“I would love to have him come in and address a joint session of Congress,” he said. “We will certainly extend that invitation.”
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