US leaders invite Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress
The Israel-Hamas war has caused widespread concerns in the US and abroad over Israel’s conduct and the extensive civilian death toll.
Fri, 31 May, 2024 - 22:10
Top US leaders have invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress, a show of wartime support for the longtime ally despite mounting political divisions over Israel’s military assault on Gaza.
The invitation from House speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, and Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, has been in the works for some time.
No date for the speech was set.
It comes as the Israel-Hamas war, after the October 7 surprise attack by the Palestinian militant group, has caused widespread concerns in the US and abroad over Israel’s conduct and the extensive civilian death toll.
A speech by Mr Netanyahu would almost certainly expose election-year divisions in the US, where a growing number of Democrats have turned away from the prime minister, while Republicans draw ever closer to the Israeli leader.
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