WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington to address Congress on Wednesday in hopes of bolstering U.S. support for continuing Israel’s military offensive against Hamas and other adversaries.
However, Wednesday’s visit has been met with boycotts by some lawmakers and protests, highlighting how Netanyahu’s hard-line government’s prosecution of the war in Gaza is opening fissures in longstanding American support of Israel.
President Joe Biden and Netanyahu are expected to meet Thursday, a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press. Netanyahu will also meet with Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday and former President Donald Trump on Friday.
What’s Netanyahu expected to say?
During his speech, Netanyahu is expected to press for freeing hostages held by Hamas and other militants in Gaza, to build support for continuing Israel’s battle against the group, and to argue for continuing to confront Hezbollah in Lebanon and other Iranian-allied groups in the region.
He may address a new China-brokered deal between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah to form a government together. The agreement was an attempt to resolve a rivalry that could make it even harder for Palestinians to secure a role governing Gaza whenever the war ends.
Netanyahu is assured a warm welcome from Republican lawmakers who arranged his speech, an appearance making him the first foreign leader to address a joint meeting of Congress four times, surpassing Winston Churchill.
Who won’t attend Netanyahu’s address?
Many Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and political independent Bernie Sanders plan to boycott Netanyahu’s appearance, but the most notable absence will be behind him.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who serves as president of the Senate and would traditionally sit behind foreign leaders, says a long-scheduled trip will keep her away Wednesday.
John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told NewsNation on Tuesday that he thinks it’s “unprecedented” for a vice president not to find time for such a commitment.
Additionally, Senate Pro Tempore Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, is next in line to fill the seat behind Netanyahu, but she is among the lawmakers who declined to attend.
Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Ben Cardin will sit there instead. He told The Associated Press he hoped Netanyahu would use the speech to lay out a future for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Republicans have targeted Harris’ absence as a sign of disloyalty to an ally. However, Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, said campaigning would also make him a no-show for the speech.
Some lawmakers who planned to boycott the address said they would spend the time talking with the families of those held by Hamas.
A spokesperson for Pelosi confirmed she would be among them.
“Speaker Pelosi will not be attending today’s Joint Meeting of Congress,” the statement said. “This morning, she will join a Members meeting with Israeli citizens whose families have suffered in the wake of the October 7th Hamas terror attack and kidnappings.”
Where do cease-fire talks stand?
The Biden administration said it wants to see Netanyahu focus during his visit on helping it complete a deal for a cease-fire and hostage release in the nine-month war. Growing numbers of Israelis accuse Netanyahu of prolonging the war in order to avoid a likely fall from power whenever the conflict ends.
Many Democrats who support Israel but have been critical of Netanyahu see the address as a Republican effort to cast itself as the party most loyal to Israel and to provide the prime minister with a much-needed political reprieve.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
