Netanyahu to Address Joint Session of Congress, Highlighting US-Israel Solidarity

Edited by: TJVNews.com

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation to address a joint session of the United States Congress, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first world leader to do so four times. The Times of Israel reported that Netanyahu expressed his excitement and sense of privilege at the opportunity, stating, “I am excited 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.”

The invitation, extended by US Congressional leaders from both parties, highlights America’s continued support for Israel amid ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. On Monday, unconfirmed sources reported that the Israeli Prime Minister would be addressing Congress on June 13th, however the TOI reported that the Prime Minister’s office has denied that the address would take place on that date due to the upcoming Shavuot holiday.

The invitation letter, which was a bipartisan effort, was signed by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R). According to the TOI article, the leaders emphasized America’s solidarity with Israel, inviting Netanyahu to share the Israeli government’s vision for “defending democracy, combatting terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region.”

The invitation follows weeks of political maneuvering, with initial delays attributed to Senate Majority Leader Schumer’s earlier calls for early elections in Israel to replace Netanyahu. Schumer ultimately agreed to the address, provided it maintained a bipartisan approach, as per the information in the TOI report.

The invitation, originally proposed by Speaker Johnson, reflects a strong bipartisan consensus in the US Congress supporting Israel’s right to defend itself and seeking to foster deeper understanding and cooperation between the two nations.

Netanyahu’s upcoming speech will be closely watched, both in the United States and internationally. According to the information contained in the TOI report, It offers a platform for Netanyahu to articulate Israel’s stance on its security challenges, its fight against terrorism, and its broader aspirations for peace in the Middle East. Given the historical context and the gravity of the current conflict, Netanyahu’s address is expected to be a pivotal moment in US-Israel relations.

“The horrific attacks of October 7th shocked the world and forced your nation into a fight for its very existence. We join the State of Israel in your struggle against terror, especially as Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens captive and its leaders jeopardize regional stability,” the letter read, as was reported by the TOI. “For this reason, on behalf of the bipartisan leadership of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, we would like to invite you to address a Joint Meeting of Congress.”

An official familiar with the matter disclosed that Netanyahu had been in discussions with Republican Congressional leaders regarding a potential joint session address.

Republicans, including presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, have shown eagerness to support Netanyahu and highlight divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel. This comes in the context of Netanyahu’s last joint session address in 2015, which saw nearly 60 Democrats boycott the event, the TOI report indicated. That address, organized by Republican Congressional leaders without the knowledge of then-President Barack Obama, was intended to lobby against the nuclear deal with Iran.