Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson stand united on Capitol Hill, emphasizing the importance of American solidarity with Israel. “Americans must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel,” Johnson declares while standing alongside Netanyahu. This meeting precedes Netanyahu’s anticipated address to a joint session of Congress, a speech that has sparked considerable controversy and prompted dozens of congressional Democrats to skip the event in protest of Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s address to Congress comes at a time of significant political turbulence in the United States, with concerns among American leaders about Netanyahu’s history of interjecting himself into U.S. domestic politics. The meeting with Johnson underscores the close ties between Israel and the current U.S. administration, despite the political divides it exacerbates.
In the coming days, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are scheduled to hold separate meetings with Netanyahu. President Biden will host Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday, focusing on the latest developments in the Gaza conflict and efforts to broker a ceasefire, including the release of hostages held by Hamas. Biden and Netanyahu will also meet with families of American hostages, highlighting the human impact of the ongoing conflict.
Vice President Kamala Harris, recently named the presumptive Democratic nominee for president following Biden’s decision to exit the 2024 election, will also meet with Netanyahu separately. However, she will not preside over Netanyahu’s address to Congress, as vice presidents traditionally do. Instead, she will travel to Indianapolis for a pre-scheduled event, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Republican leaders. Texas Senator John Cornyn labeled Harris’s absence as “disgraceful,” asserting that it undermines the customary respect afforded to foreign leaders addressing both chambers of Congress.
The absence of Harris and the decision of several Democratic lawmakers to boycott Netanyahu’s speech reflect deepening divisions over Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joins this boycott, opting to meet with Israeli citizens affected by the October Hamas attacks instead of attending the address. This protest highlights the growing discontent within the Democratic Party regarding Israel’s approach to the Gaza conflict.
As Netanyahu speaks to Congress, pro-Palestinian protesters gather in large numbers outside the U.S. Capitol. Demonstrators chant slogans such as “Netanyahu you can’t hide,” “free Palestine,” and “stop bombing Gaza,” voicing their opposition to Israeli military actions. Capitol police report that approximately 200 protesters were arrested in the Capitol’s rotunda the previous day, underscoring the intensity of the demonstrations.
The political landscape in Washington remains highly charged as Netanyahu’s visit continues, with both supporters and critics making their voices heard. The meetings with Biden and Harris, along with the congressional address, are pivotal moments in U.S.-Israel relations, set against the backdrop of ongoing conflict and diplomatic efforts to secure peace in the region.
