Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress on July 24, amid his country’s ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza, two sources familiar with the date confirmed to NBC News.
The timing of the speech was first reported by Punchbowl News and comes after all four leaders in Congress issued a formal invitation to Netanyahu late last month.
In their letter dated May 31, Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries asked Netanyahu to appear before Congress “to support the Israeli government’s vision.” share about defending democracy, combating terror and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region.”
Several Democrats have already signaled their intention to boycott the speech on Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza, or otherwise expressed concerns that his speech could increase tensions in Congress.
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin said Tuesday that he would not have invited Netanyahu to address Congress unless the Israeli leader first committed to a two-state solution.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., called the Israeli prime minister a “war criminal” during an NBC News interview this week and said he would not attend the speech.
President Joe Biden has publicly criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the war in recent months and has said more must be done to ensure humanitarian aid flows to Gaza.
On the same day that congressional leaders invited Netanyahu, Biden announced that Israel had proposed a three-part plan that he said would pave the way for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and trigger the release of all hostages held held hostage. has been held there since October. That proposal appeared to be undermined a day later, when Netanyahu called a permanent ceasefire in Gaza a “nonstarter” unless certain conditions are met.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
