Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint meeting of Congress on July 24, top Republicans announced Thursday night.
The top four congressional leaders officially invited Netanyahu to speak to lawmakers Friday, capping off weeks of speculation regarding whether the prime minister would be extended the opportunity to visit the Capitol amid Israel’s war against Hamas. Netanyahu accepted the invitation Saturday.
“The bipartisan, bicameral meeting symbolizes the U.S. and Israel’s enduring relationship and will offer Prime Minister Netanyahu the opportunity to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending their democracy, combatting terror, and establishing just and lasting peace in the region,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a statement Thursday night.
The announcement of a date for the address excluded the names of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), both of whom signed the letter inviting Netanyahu to address Congress last week.
The omissions are notable, as progressive Democrats in both chambers have expressed sharp disapproval of Netanyahu being invited to speak, with some already vowing to skip the event. Schumer also voiced his opposition to Netanyahu in a March floor speech, calling for new elections in Israel and declaring that the longtime conservative leader had “lost his way.”
The Senate leader — who is the highest-ranking Jewish official in American history — issued a statement Thursday evening that emphasized his support for the U.S.-Israel relationship but did not address his absence from the date announcement.
