Indian-American lawmakers Pramila Jayapal and Ami Bera, along with other US lawmakers, boycotted Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the joint session of the United States Congress on July 24, 2024, in Washington DC.
Ahead of PM Netanyahu’s address, protesters gathered outside the US Capitol, and the White House, on July 24th, to showcase their opposition to the invitation from the US Congress, calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Congresswoman Jayapal said, “Prime Minister Netanyahu should not have been invited to come and speak to the U.S. Congress. I cannot in good conscience sit and listen to him speak as Palestinian people starve, and hostages including Israelis and Americans, remain in captivity,” criticizing PM Netanyahu for using US taxpayer dollars to fund attacks on Gaza and the Palestinian people violating international humanitarian and US domestic laws. Israel’s actions so far have resulted in over 38,000 Palestinian deaths and 88,000 injuries.
“The Netanyahu government has vocally opposed a two-state solution, a stated position of the United States. I do not believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu is interested in reaching a deal for a ceasefire that would return the hostages and bring peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians,” added Congresswoman Jayapal. “In fact, I believe he has been actively working against these goals for his own political self-preservation. This is simply not the way he should be engaging with Israel’s largest funder of military assistance, and we must use all our leverage to make it clear we will not continue to support offensive military assistance to Israel until we achieve a ceasefire and bring all the hostages’ home.”
She announced that on July 24th she will meet families of hostages taken during the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel, to support their efforts and bring their loved ones home. Instead of attending PM Netanyahu’s address, she will join a panel discussion organized by the Center for American Progress and other groups, featuring a Palestinian leader, a Jewish Israeli leader, and a former IDF soldier. This panel will focus on finding a peaceful resolution for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Congressman Bera emphasized his dedication to “peace, security, and safety,” for everyone in the region, contrasting it with the approach of PM Netanyahu’s government. He called on him to accept President Joe Biden’s ceasefire deal to secure the release of hostages and alleviate the suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians.
“As someone who cares deeply about Israel’s future, and after listening to the family members of American hostages held captive by Hamas, l’ve made the decision not to attend Prime Minister Netanyahu’s joint address,” he added. “It is imperative to agree to a ceasefire, release the hostages, and negotiate a future that promises peace and stability for Israelis and Palestinians. Prime Minister Netanyahu must no longer stand in the way of a ceasefire and an agreement for Hamas to return the hostages. Strong leadership is needed to pressure Hamas to accept this ceasefire and commit to the peace process.”
The invitation to PM Netanyahu from the US Congress dated May 31, 2024, noted that last year, Congress had the honor of welcoming Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Washington to mark 75 years of friendship and collaboration between the two democracies.
“Less than three months later, the horrific attacks of October 7, [2023] shocked the world and formed your nation into a fight for its very existence. We join the State of Israel in your struggle against terror, especially as Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens and its leaders jeopardize regional stability,” stated the letter signed by Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, and House Majority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries. “For this reason, on behalf of the bipartisan leadership of the United States House of Representatives and the United States, we would like to invite you to address a Joint Meeting of Congress.”
The letter highlighted the existential challenges that the United States and Israel face, particularly the strengthening partnership between Iran, Russia, and China, which threatens global security, peace, and prosperity. It further noted the need to strengthen the relationship between the US and Israel and invited PM Netanyahu to share the “Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combatting terror,” and achieving peace in the region.
On July 25th, President Biden will host PM Netanyahu at the White House. “The leaders will discuss developments in Gaza and progress towards a ceasefire and hostage release deal and the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, including countering Iran’s threats to Israel and the broader region,” said a statement from the White House.
According to the statement, both President Biden and PM Netanyahu will also meet with families of Americans who were held hostage by Hamas. Vice President Kamala Harris is also expected to have a separate meeting with PM Netanyahu on July 25th.
PM Netanyahu, who last addressed the US Congress last in 2015, will become the first world leader to address a joint meeting of Congress four times.
