Democrats debate whether to attend Netanyahu’s speech to Congress as criticism of Gaza war mounts

WASHINGTON — When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last addressed the U.S. Congress nine years ago, he was missing nearly 60 Democrats. They called the speech a slap in the face to then-President Barack Obama as he negotiated a nuclear deal with Iran.

Since Netanyahu is scheduled to speak to U.S. lawmakers on July 24 and his government is currently at war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the number of absences is likely to be far greater.

Democrats in Congress are wrestling with whether to attend the event, with many torn between their longstanding support for Israel and their despair at the way Israel is conducting its military operations in Gaza. Since the October 7 Hamas attack that sparked the war, more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Hamas-controlled areas, according to the Health Ministry. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters in its figures.

While some Democrats say they are coming out of respect for Israel, a larger and growing faction wants nothing to do with it, creating an extraordinarily charged atmosphere at what is normally a ceremonial, bipartisan show of support for an American ally.

“I wish he was a statesman and would do the right thing for Israel. We all love Israel,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) recently said of Netanyahu on CNN. “We need to help them and not let him get in the way of that for so long.”

She added: “I think it will create even more discontent, such as we have already seen in our own ranks.”

Tensions between Netanyahu and Democratic President Joe Biden are leaking out into the open. Last week, Netanyahu accused the Biden administration of withholding U.S. weapons from Israel – a claim he repeated again to his Cabinet on Sunday. After the prime minister first made the accusation, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “We really don’t know what he’s talking about. We just don’t know.”

The invitation from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) to Netanyahu came after consultation with the White House, according to a person familiar with the matter who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue. No meeting between the leaders has been planned so far during Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, the person said.

Netanyahu said in a press release that he was “very moved” by the invitation to speak to Congress and by the chance to “present to the representatives of the American people and the entire world the truth about our just war against those who seek to destroy us.”

Republicans first raised the idea of ​​inviting Netanyahu in March after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish politician in the United States, delivered a speech on the Senate floor sharply criticizing the prime minister. Schumer, D-N.Y., called the Israeli president “an obstacle to peace” and called for new elections in Israel, even as he condemned Hamas and criticized Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Republicans condemned the speech as an affront to Israel and its sovereignty. Johnson talked about asking Netanyahu to come to Washington, an invitation Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York ultimately endorsed, albeit reluctantly. Pelosi, who declined the invitation to Netanyahu in 2015 when she was House Democratic leader, said it was a mistake for congressional leadership to extend it again this time.

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who attended the 2015 speech as a member of the House of Representatives, said he saw no reason why Congress should “throw a political lifeline” to Netanyahu.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul said it would be “healthy” for members of both parties to attend. “I think many Americans, especially the younger generation, are hearing a one-sided narrative, and I think it’s important that they hear the Israeli prime minister’s perspective,” said McCaul, a Texas Republican.

Interviews with more than a dozen Democrats showed the depth of discontent over the upcoming speech, which many see as a Republican ploy to divide their party. Some Democrats say they are attending to express their support for Israel, not Netanyahu.

New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said his position made him “obligated” to attend.

“This shouldn’t have happened,” he added. “But I can’t control it. And I have to do my job.”

Senator Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), chairman of the Sente’s Foreign Affairs Committee, has announced his attendance. Cardin said he expects Netanyahu’s speech to contain a “message that can strengthen support for Israel in this country” but also lay the foundation for peace in the region.

Other Democrats are waiting to see whether Netanyahu will still be prime minister by the time he is scheduled to address Congress.

There were open signs of dissatisfaction with the way Netanyahu’s government handled the war. This coalition also includes right-wing hardliners who reject any kind of agreement with Hamas.

Benny Gantz, a former military chief and centrist politician, resigned from Netanyahu’s war cabinet this month, frustrated with the prime minister’s war-fighting. On Monday, Netanyahu dissolved the cabinet. Meanwhile, a growing number of critics and protesters in Israel are supporting a ceasefire proposal that would allow the return of hostages kidnapped by Hamas.

Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R-I., said he stands with those “who hope he is not prime minister at the end of July. I think he has been bad for Israel, bad for the Palestinians, bad for America.” But he added that he believes it is his duty to be present when a head of state addresses Congress, “even if it is someone I am concerned about and disagree with.”

Democratic Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia attended the 2015 speech and called it “one of the most painful hours” he has spent in Congress. He plans a boycott if Netanyahu does not “commit to a ceasefire.”

A large portion of the Congressional Progressive Caucus — lawmakers who have been among the most critical of Israel’s handling of the war — are not expected to show up. Among them is Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the caucus chair, who told the Associated Press that inviting Netanyahu was a “bad idea.”

“We should put pressure on him by denying him offensive military support to ensure that he adheres to the agreement that the president has presented,” she said.

Netanyahu’s visit is expected to provoke significant protests and some members of Congress are planning an alternative event.

Rep. Jim Clyburn said he is in the early stages of bringing together “like-minded people” to exchange ideas on a path forward for Israelis and Palestinians that includes a two-state solution. The top South Carolina Democrat was a vocal critic of Netanyahu’s 2015 speech, which he and several prominent members of the Congressional Black Caucus viewed as an affront to Obama.

“I just think that instead of just saying, ‘I’m not going to go, I’m going to stay away,’ I should say, ‘I’m going to stay away, and I’m going to stay away with a purpose,'” he said. “I’m not going to listen to his nonsense. But here are some ideas that we have that could be a way forward.”