Vice President Kamala Harris and more than 30 Capitol Hill lawmakers have made the decision not to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint meeting of Congress. This move is significant given that it is Netanyahu’s fourth address to Congress, with the last one taking place in March 2015. The decision not to attend comes amid a backdrop of heightened tensions between Israel and Hamas, resulting in a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The controversy surrounding Netanyahu’s speech has led to a series of protests in Washington, with roughly 200 protesters being arrested on Tuesday for staging a sit-in demonstration in Congress’ Cannon House Office Building. The protesters are voicing their opposition to Netanyahu’s policies in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as his stance on a two-state solution.
Harris’ absence from Netanyahu’s speech marks a departure from tradition, as the vice president typically presides over a joint congressional session. However, Harris is currently on the campaign trail as the Democratic front-runner for the party’s presidential nomination. Similarly, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who is Donald Trump’s running mate, is also not attending the speech due to his responsibilities as the Republican nominee for Vice President.
Many of the lawmakers skipping Netanyahu’s speech have cited their decision as a form of protest against the Israeli Prime Minister’s policies. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for example, will be meeting with families of hostages held by Hamas instead of attending the speech. Senator Bernie Sanders, a vocal critic of Netanyahu, has called for the condemnation of Netanyahu’s policies in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as his lack of support for a two-state solution.
Despite the controversy surrounding Netanyahu’s speech, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Ben Cardin emphasized the importance of the U.S. relationship with Israel transcending politics and partisanship. He stated that this relationship goes beyond any specific Israeli government or U.S. administration. Cardin will be presiding over Netanyahu’s joint address in the absence of Vice President Harris and Senator Murray.
During his time on Capitol Hill, Netanyahu will meet with the top four congressional lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Additionally, Netanyahu is scheduled to have separate meetings with President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris at the White House on Thursday.
The decision by Vice President Harris and other lawmakers not to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress underscores the ongoing controversy surrounding his policies and the Israel-Hamas conflict. The protests, arrests, and statements of condemnation highlight the deep divisions and differing opinions on how to address the situation in the Middle East.
Leave a Reply