U.S. President Joe Biden reaffirmed American commitment to Israel during his reception of Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the White House on Tuesday, following a phone call received by Herzog. He emphasized that Washington is making significant efforts to resolve the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. Herzog highlighted ongoing intense societal discussions in Israel, praising its strong democracy. He mentioned that he discussed several issues with Biden, including the Iranian nuclear threat and the internal situation in Israel.
A group of Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. is considering boycotting Herzog's speech in Congress, citing reasons including the human rights record of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Relations between the two countries have been strained due to Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and judicial reforms that Netanyahu's right-wing government seeks to implement, which have faced severe criticism from Israeli protesters for months.
A senior U.S. government official stated that Herzog will also meet with Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The official added that Biden and Herzog will discuss deepening Israel's relationships in the Middle East, supported by several agreements with neighboring Arab countries in recent years, and their shared commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. They will also discuss the urgent need to maintain the path for a two-state solution through negotiations to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Biden had postponed the invitation due to concerns over Jewish settlements and proposed reforms that critics argue would strip Israel's Supreme Court of many of its powers. The proposed reforms have sparked months of anti-government protests in Israel.
**Boycotting the Speech**
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar tweeted that attending the speech on Wednesday is for her considered “impossible.” She added, “The speech of Israeli President Isaac Herzog on behalf of the government with the strongest right-wing inclinations in Israel’s history comes at a time when this government publicly vows to ‘crush’ Palestinians' hopes for statehood, fundamentally driving a nail into the coffin of peace and the two-state solution.” Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also stated she does not intend to attend the speech. An aide to Ocasio-Cortez said she shares many of her colleagues’ concerns. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American member of the U.S. House of Representatives, tweeted that she will boycott Herzog's address, standing outside Congress with a sign reading “Boycott Apartheid.” She urged all members of Congress who support human rights to join her.
Congressman Jamal Bowman released a statement saying he would not attend the session either, justifying his absence by citing "the lack of urgency in providing safety and security for all Israelis and Palestinians in the region and implementing a two-state solution ultimately." It is not unusual for members of Congress to miss speeches by foreign leaders at joint sessions of both houses. Some members missed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in June, citing human rights concerns. Over 50 Democratic lawmakers skipped a speech by Netanyahu in Congress in 2015, viewed as an endorsement by Republican congressmen and a disregard for then-Democratic President Barack Obama’s policy on Iran.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who leads a significant group of progressives in Congress, apologized on Sunday for calling Israel a racist state. Democratic leaders in the House had opposed her view.
**Netanyahu's Visit**
Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi mentioned on Tuesday that President Joe Biden invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with him at the White House in September, though the White House has not yet confirmed the details. A White House official, responding to a Reuters inquiry regarding Hanegbi’s comments, stated that the two leaders agreed to meet but had not specified the location. Washington delayed inviting Netanyahu until Monday due to concerns over judicial changes that Netanyahu and his right-wing government pledged to introduce, as well as Israel's expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank.
