Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will deliver a speech to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, where he will attempt to pressure the United States amid tense relations between the two allied countries following nine months of war in Gaza. This visit comes during political turmoil in the United States, sparked by an assassination attempt on Republican candidate Donald Trump, President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race, and Vice President Kamala Harris's entry as she seeks the Democratic nomination for the upcoming November elections.
Netanyahu had previously been given a chance to intervene in U.S. politics; in 2015, he relied on Congress to try to compel President Barack Obama to reject the nuclear deal with Iran. This marks the fourth time—setting a record for a foreign leader—that Netanyahu will address Congress, an opportunity typically reserved for leaders on state visits. Netanyahu's speech before both chambers of Congress is scheduled to begin at 18:00 GMT. He is set to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday, a relationship that is complex. On Friday, Netanyahu will meet Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, at the invitation of the former Republican president. Both men claim to align closely in their views.
Notably, Netanyahu is not in Washington at the invitation of the White House but instead at the invitation of Republican congressional leaders, who were joined by Democratic leaders against their will. Vice President Kamala Harris will be absent from Congress on Wednesday, citing time constraints, despite the fact that she is supposed to preside over the session according to protocol.
Netanyahu's visit, which began on Monday, has caused chaos extending beyond the streets of the capital. Several Democrats have condemned the right-wing Israeli leader's conduct in the war against Hamas in Gaza, which has resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths, and have announced a boycott of his speech in Congress. Left-wing Senator Bernie Sanders wrote on X platform, "No, Netanyahu is not welcome in the U.S. Congress." Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson warned that he would not tolerate any opposing demonstrations during the speech.
In a sign of the heightened tension in the U.S. capital on the eve of this controversial visit, about 200 anti-war Jewish protesters were arrested on Tuesday on Capitol grounds. Netanyahu is expected to use the Congressional platform to defend his goal of eliminating Hamas and emphasize the threat posed by Iran, particularly following the unprecedented attack on Israel on April 13, in an attempt to urge the U.S. to provide him with what he needs to end the war.
