Four Congressional leaders have extended an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before a Joint Meeting of Congress, a decision that has met with mixed reactions from Democrats.
While some Democrats, such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, support the invitation, others, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, vehemently oppose it. Omar accuses Netanyahu of war crimes and criticizes his policies towards the Palestinians. This divide underscores the growing tension within the Democratic coalition over the Middle East and Israel-Palestine relations.
According to Jeffries, however, the divide is overstated, claiming that Republicans have unsuccessfully attempted to turn Israel into a partisan issue. He cites the Democratic Party’s unity in addressing various other challenges, such as raising the debt ceiling and aiding Ukraine.
However, unlike the majority party, Democrats have not attempted to unseat two different Speakers this Congress, highlighting the contrasting perspectives between the two parties.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar has expressed a desire to reduce tensions, but this may prove difficult given the depth of disagreement among Democrats on this issue.
Netanyahu’s last address to Congress was in fall 2015, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez believes his appearance this time will not contribute to efforts to establish a ceasefire in the Middle East. Rep. Brad Schneider, a strong supporter of Israel, disagrees, emphasizing the importance of hearing Netanyahu’s perspective.
The divisions within the Democratic Party on this issue are significant and could potentially hinder their chances of retaking the House and re-electing President Biden. Republicans also face their own internal divisions, but the chasm among Democrats over Netanyahu’s speech could have severe consequences for the party’s future.
Chad Pergram, a senior congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel, provides ongoing coverage of this developing story.
