The U.S. Congress has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a joint address to both the House and Senate, local foreign media reported on the 31st of last month (local time).
The U.S. Congress reportedly sent a letter addressed to Prime Minister Netanyahu inviting him "to build a lasting relationship between the two countries and to emphasize the solidarity between the United States and Israel."
In the letter, the U.S. Congress requested that Netanyahu "share the vision of the Israeli government to defend democracy in the region, fight terrorism, and pursue a just and lasting peace." The letter was signed by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The exact date for Netanyahu’s speech to the U.S. Congress has not been specified, but congressional sources expect the speech to take place "in about eight weeks, or shortly after the August recess." Speaker Johnson recently stated that Netanyahu would soon address the U.S. Congress. At the annual Independence Day reception held by the Israeli Embassy in Washington on the 24th of last month, he mentioned the invitation plan, saying it would be "an opportunity to show strong support for the Israeli government at a time when it is most needed."
Netanyahu has previously addressed the U.S. Congress three times, with his last speech in 2015. If he delivers a speech this time, he will become the first foreign leader to have addressed both chambers of the U.S. Congress four times.
This invitation for the speech appears to have been made with bipartisan consensus. Earlier, Speaker Johnson sent a final warning to Democratic Senate Majority Leader Schumer, who has been critical of Netanyahu, stating that if Schumer did not sign the letter requesting Netanyahu’s joint address to the House and Senate, Netanyahu would only be allowed to speak to the House. The Senate is controlled by the Democrats, and the House by the Republicans. Although Schumer is Jewish and considered one of the highest-ranking pro-Israel figures in the U.S. Congress, he has expressed dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s government policies regarding the Gaza war and openly called for Netanyahu’s resignation in March, showing a critical stance toward the Prime Minister.
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