Netanyahu Accepts Invitation To Address Joint Session of Congress

Sen. Schumer invited Netanyahu to speak despite previously calling him an 'obstacle' to peace

On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he accepted an invitation from congressional leaders to address a joint session of Congress in Washington.

Netanyahu wrote on X that he was “thrilled” to have the opportunity to address the House and the Senate and said he would present the “truth” about Israel’s onslaught in Gaza.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) joined House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) in inviting Netanyahu despite previously labeling the Israeli leader an “obstacle” to peace and calling for Israeli elections.

When Johnson first floated the idea of inviting Netanyahu, Schumer said the US-Israel relationship “transcends any one president or any one Prime Minister” and that he “will always welcome the opportunity for the Prime Minister of Israel to speak to Congress in a bipartisan way.”

A source told The Hill that Netanyahu’s address is expected to take place “as soon as the next eight weeks or soon after August recess.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and a few Democrats have come out against the plan to host Netanyahu. “Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal. He should not be invited to address a joint meeting of Congress. I certainly will not attend,” Sanders said.

Netanyahu has a history of controversial addresses to Congress, including in 2015, when he delivered a speech opposing the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He also played a key role in pressuring the Trump administration to tear up the agreement, which kept Iran’s civilian nuclear program under stringent limits.

In 2002, Netanyahu testified before Congress urging that the US invade Iraq, pushing the false narrative that Saddam Hussein had WMDs. “There is no question whatsoever that Saddam is seeking, is working, is advancing towards to the development of nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said.

He also claimed that a regime change in Iraq would inspire a revolution in Iran. “If you take out Saddam, Saddam’s regime, I guarantee you that it will have enormous positive reverberations on the region,” he said.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.