Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address a joint meeting of Congress at 2 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, marking his fourth such address. Netanyahu’s speech comes as he seeks to bolster support for Israel’s ongoing 10-month conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The invitation, extended in May, highlights a rare moment of bipartisan unity, despite the deep political divides over the war within the U.S. Congress. While Republicans remain staunchly supportive of Netanyahu, Democrats are split, with some members planning to boycott the speech.
The address occurs during a period of significant upheaval in U.S. politics. Former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt on July 13, shortly before becoming the official Republican presidential nominee. Concurrently, President Biden ended his reelection bid after a poorly received debate performance led his party to doubt his chances against Trump in a potential rematch. Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic nominee, will be absent from the joint meeting, with Sen. Ben Cardin presiding in her place.
Netanyahu’s visit has prompted heightened security measures due to anticipated large-scale demonstrations. Critics of Netanyahu accuse him of extending the war for political gain, a claim he denies. Despite the controversy, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of U.S.-Israel solidarity in his pre-arrival statement, asserting the necessity of a united front against Israel’s adversaries. Following his congressional address, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Biden and Vice President Harris later in the week.
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