Republican US House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be addressing a joint meeting of Congress, signaling strong support for the Israeli government during the war in Gaza. This move is expected to further provoke progressive Democrats who are critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and President Joe Biden’s support for it. Netanyahu’s close alignment with Republicans has strained relations between him and the Biden administration.
The Israeli embassy’s annual Independence Day reception in Washington highlighted the tensions between Biden and Netanyahu concerning the protection of Palestinian civilians in the war against Hamas militants. The event featured both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, emphasizing bipartisan support for Israel’s sovereignty amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Vice President Kamala Harris, who has previously called the situation in Gaza a “humanitarian catastrophe,” delivered last year’s keynote speech.
Recent decisions by the International Criminal Court prosecutor to seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his defense chief Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders implicated in the Gaza war drew condemnation from Johnson and Aguilar. Johnson criticized unnamed leaders for withholding weapons from Israel, referring to Biden’s pause in shipments of bombs. While Biden has expressed concerns over an all-out ground offensive in Gaza, the flow of weapons to Israel has mostly continued, strengthening ties between the two countries.
Johnson, a Trump ally, has been at the center of the US political divide over Israeli policy, spearheading Netanyahu’s invitation to address Congress. Amidst scheduling conflicts with a state dinner for Kenyan President William Ruto at the White House, bipartisan lawmakers celebrated Israel’s 76th Independence Day, honoring the US’s commitment to supporting Israel’s military aid. The politicization of the Israel issue has intensified ahead of the November election, with both parties using the conflict in Gaza for political gain.
Inviting Netanyahu to speak to Congress is a rare honor typically reserved for close US allies, with Netanyahu having given three speeches previously. In 2015, Republican leaders invited Netanyahu without consulting Democratic President Barack Obama, leading to dozens of Democrats boycotting the speech. Johnson’s efforts to host Netanyahu amidst internal Republican divisions highlight the significance of the Israel issue in US politics, especially in the lead-up to the upcoming election where Biden is running against Trump.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to fuel tensions in US politics, with the Israeli government fighting against Hamas militants in Gaza. The portrayal of the conflict as a solidarity event at the embassy’s reception underscores the deep-rooted divisions within the US government over Israeli policy. Netanyahu’s upcoming speech to Congress further highlights the complex relationship between the US, Israel, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, placing pressure on lawmakers to navigate bipartisan support for Israel amidst growing criticism of its military actions in Gaza.
