Top U.S. congressional leaders sent a letter on Friday inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to come to the United States and address Congress.
The top leaders, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), they asked Netanyahu to “address a Joint Meeting of Congress” because Israel was having to fight for its existence in its war with Hamas.
Top Four U.S. Congressional Leaders Invite Netanyahu To Address Congress https://t.co/O5HsLPMp5X pic.twitter.com/jS6pY7jgOt
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“Last year, Congress was proud to host Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Washington to celebrate 75 years of friendship and partnership between our two democracies. 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,” the leaders began.
“The existential challenges we face, including the growing partnership between Iran, Russia, and China, threaten the security, peace, and prosperity of our countries and of free people around the world. To build on our enduring relationship and to highlight America’s solidarity with Israel, we invite you to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combatting terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region,” they added.
Per the Times of Israel, Netanyahu has accepted the lawmakers’ invitation, as he expressed excitement for “the privilege to present in front of the representatives of the American people and the entire world the truth about our just war against those who wish to kill us.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is totally against the idea and made it clear in a press release on Saturday. Describing Netanyahu as a “war criminal,” Sanders said that he should not be invited to address Congress.
“It is a very sad day for our country that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited – by leaders from both parties – to address a joint meeting of the United States Congress,” he stated, arguing that Israel does not have the right “to go to war against the entire Palestinian people” even though it had a “right to defend itself against” Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, which left about 1,200 murdered and hundreds more taken as hostages.