Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been in Washington since Monday, is set to address the US Congress on Wednesday. His speech aims to bolster American support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas. However, a significant number of Democrats will boycott the event, expressing their disapproval of Netanyahu’s actions in the Israel-Hamas war. This boycott marks a stark contrast to the unwavering support promised by the Republican party, which vows to provide steadfast assistance to Israel if they win the upcoming November presidential elections.
The Democratic opposition to Netanyahu’s speech stems from their dissatisfaction with his handling of the conflict. Many Democrats believe that Israel’s military operations in Gaza have resulted in excessive civilian casualties and are calling for a stronger stance against Israeli actions. Instead of attending Netanyahu’s address, a large group of Democratic representatives will participate in counter-programs organized across the state. These events, including one titled “Peace is Possible: An Alternative Vision for Israel and Palestine,” will focus on advocating for peace from both Israeli and Palestinian perspectives. The organizers, which include groups like the Center for American Progress and Middle East Democracy Center, aim to push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Notable Democratic leaders, including Nancy Pelosi, Bernie Sanders, and Kamala Harris, have announced their decision to skip Netanyahu’s speech. While Harris will meet with Netanyahu on Thursday, she will be unable to attend the address due to campaign commitments. Other prominent figures who will not participate include Senators Elizabeth Warren, Dick Durban, and Bernie Sanders, as well as Representatives Jan Shakowsky, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jim Clyburn, and Ilhan Omar. These leaders have cited Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict as the primary reason for their boycott, criticizing his policies in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as his lack of support for a two-state solution.
The boycott highlights the growing political divide within the US regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While President Joe Biden has publicly expressed unwavering support for Israel, he is facing increasing pressure from the more progressive wing of his party to adopt a more forceful approach in urging Israel to scale back its military operations in Gaza. This pressure stems from concerns about civilian casualties and the potential for further escalation of the conflict. The upcoming speech and the resulting boycott are likely to further fuel the debate about US involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of the US in mediating peace between the two sides.
