Washington – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address Congress on Wednesday, aiming to shore up American support for his war in Gaza and redirect the nation’s focus from domestic political turmoil to the Middle East conflict.
Netanyahu’s address comes at a critical juncture for the war. U.S. officials are optimistic about a potential deal to free Hamas-held hostages and possibly end the conflict. However, the American public has been engrossed in discussions about President Joe Biden’s age and mental fitness, culminating in Biden’s recent announcement that he will step down from the Democratic ticket. This, along with the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and the Republican National Convention, has dominated headlines.
The war in Gaza has sparked significant controversy, with over 39,000 Palestinians killed and the region facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Some members of Congress have announced they will not attend Netanyahu’s speech, citing their opposition to the war or prior commitments.
Vice President Kamala Harris, now the presumptive Democratic nominee, will not preside over the speech as she will be in Indianapolis on Wednesday. However, she plans to meet with Netanyahu on Thursday. Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray also declined to preside over the address.
Senator Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with the Democrats, has stated he will skip the address in protest of Netanyahu’s “total war” in Gaza. Sanders condemned Netanyahu’s policies and refusal to support a two-state solution, arguing that he should not be welcomed into Congress.
The relationship between Biden and Netanyahu has grown increasingly strained as the Gaza war drags on. Biden has criticized Israel’s actions as excessive and expressed his desire for the conflict to end. Netanyahu, on the other hand, has accused the U.S. of withholding weapons and ammunition, a claim American officials deny.
After arriving in Washington, Netanyahu met with American relatives of hostages held by Hamas. The meeting ended with mixed reactions from the participants.
Former President Donald Trump announced that he will meet with Netanyahu on Friday at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
This story is developing and will be updated with additional information as it becomes available.
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