Israel Beyond the First Day of the September 7 Attacks: Israel’s Relationship with Israel is Ironclad and transcends One Prime Minister or Prime Minister

Some Democrats who have supported Israel since the beginning of the war say that their attendance at Netanyahu’s address will be dependent on whether or not he accepts the peace deal.

In response to the invitation, Netanyahu said in a statement he is “moved to have the privilege of representing Israel before both Houses of Congress and to present the truth about our just war against those who seek to destroy us to the representatives of the American people and the entire world.”

“Less than three months later, the horrific attacks of October 7th shocked the world and forced your nation into a fight for its very existence,” read the letter from House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. We join you in your fight against terror, because Hamas is endangering regional stability and holding American and Israeli citizens captive.

Late last week, Biden announced a proposed agreement to end the fighting in Gaza, putting growing pressure on Netanyahu to accept the deal. Many Israelis have been urging him to embrace the terms, but his far-right allies have threatened to leave his coalition government if he does.

Biden said the proposal includes three phases, which would include a complete ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza and the release of hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

That could expose Netanyahu to new elections, scrutiny over security failures that led to the war and, if he loses the prime minister post, prosecution on longstanding corruption charges.

In a statement after the date of the address was finalized, Schumer said he has “clear and profound disagreements with the Prime Minister, which I have voiced both privately and publicly and will continue to do so. But because America’s relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends one person or prime minister I joined the request for him to speak.”

Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the U.S. — who delivered a stinging rebuke of Netanyahu in March — said in a separate statement Thursday night that he has “clear and profound disagreements” with the Israeli leader but joined in the request for him to speak “because America’s relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends one person or prime minister.”

WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to address a joint meeting of Congress on July 24, setting the stage for what is expected to be a contentious speech at a crucial moment for the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

All four top Congressional leaders extended the formal invitation to Netanyahu at the end of May, noting that Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed Congress last year.

The letter invites the Israeli leader to share the Israeli government vision for defending democracy, fighting terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region.

The speech is expected to infuriate. Several Congressional Democrats have said they will boycott the address over Israel’s prosecution of the war against Hamas. Those protests will further highlight the divisions within Congressional Democrats over support of Israel.

President Biden announced last week that Israel has offered a plan for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza.

In response, Israel issued a statement saying Netanyahu authorized a proposal in order to return the hostages to Israel, but said “the war will not end until all of [the Israeli government’s] goals are achieved, including the return of all our abductees and the elimination of Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities.”