– Risking PR Disaster, Netanyahu To Address Congress On July 24:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, July 24th. Though intended to reinforce US support of Israel and its ongoing war in Gaza, the appearance of the polarizing prime minister amid the initial run-up to the 2024 American general election could well backfire.
Many legislators will boycott the appearance, including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who already promised not to show up. This won’t be the first controversial joint address by Netanyahu: In 2015, he used a speech to undermine President Obama’s negotiation of an agreement with Iran that severely limited its nuclear energy program. Fifty-eight Democrats boycotted the speech.
A political lightning rod, Netanyahu is certain to inspire large protests in Washington, and perhaps other cities, coinciding with his appearance. There may well be outbursts inside the House chamber too. A senior House Democrat tells Axios that “a number [of Democrats] are going and disrupting” the speech.
Netanyahu’s address will come between the Republican and Democratic national conventions, and increased debate on the way Israel is conducting its US-financed, US-equipped war could well be a huge net negative for Netanyahu and his ruling coalition.
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