House Republicans in the United States are contemplating extending an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before Congress, per media reports.
The motivation for this invitation purportedly stems from Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer’s recent call for elections to replace Netanyahu.
In his address, Schumer criticized both Netanyahu and his coalition, stating, “The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7. The Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past.”
Schumer further asserted that “Netanyahu has lost his way,” and warned that unless Netanyahu alters his policies, “the United States will have no choice but to play a more active role in shaping Israeli policy by using our leverage to change the present course.”
Following Schumer’s remarks last Wednesday, Advancing American Freedom, a coalition of conservative groups led by former Vice President Mike Pence, penned a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, urging an invitation for Netanyahu to address Congress.
“We respectfully request that you extend an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress,” the letter read. “The address would provide Prime Minister Netanyahu with an opportunity to directly update Congress and the American people on the ongoing conflict.”
Republican Jewish Coalition CEO Matt Brooks, Zionist Organization of America President Morton Klein, and Media Research Center Founder L. Brent Bozell III were among the letter’s signatories.
Johnson confirmed that House Republicans are deliberating on inviting Netanyahu to address Congress. “It’s one of the things that we have in mind, and we may try to arrange for that,” Johnson stated. “I think it’s very important for us to show solidarity and support for Israel right now in their time of great struggle, and we certainly stand for that position, and we’ll try to advance that in every way that we can.”
An invitation for Netanyahu to address Congress would necessitate the approval of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. It remains uncertain if Schumer would endorse the request given his prior statements.