Netanyahu seeks to shore up US support with speech to Congress

Israel’s prime minister will address both houses of the US Congress in an effort to shore up support for his war in the Gaza Strip.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s invitation was initiated by House Speaker Mike Johnson, whose party is trying to demonstrate unwavering support for Israel.

But some Democratic lawmakers plan to boycott the speech on the level of US military aid to Israel, given the large number of Palestinian deaths.

Mr Netanyahu arrived in the US on Monday. After addressing Congress on Wednesday, he will meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris – then have a private meeting with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

“Looking forward to welcoming Bibi Netanyahu to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida,” the former US president said in a post on Truth Social.

Mr Netanyahu said he would “present the truth about our just war” in a speech to parliament, on his first trip to the US since the conflict with Hamas began.

Israel’s prime minister continues to face domestic and international pressure over his handling of the war that began nearly 10 months ago.

His trip to the United States also comes after the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is “illegal”.

But this ruling was rejected by Israel.

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are also expected to down to Washington for a “day of rage”“.

Speaker Johnson has warned of protests inside the House of Commons chamber, saying there will be arrests “if we have to”.

On Tuesday, about 200 Jewish-American peace activists held a protest at the Capitol building against Netanyahu’s speech.

Police eventually dispersed the protesters, all of whom were wearing red T-shirts reading “Not in our name” and “Jews demand an end to arms supplies to Israel.”

Netanyahu’s visit to Washington comes amid strained relations with the United States, particularly among leading Democrats.

President Biden has also became more critical of Israel. as the war continues and the death toll in Gaza mounts.

Mr Biden, who is running for re-election in November until he dropped out of the race on Sunday.has come under political pressure from the left wing of his party to do more to persuade Israel to limit its war in Gaza.

Vice President Harris, Who is the current presumptive Democratic nominee?will not preside over her constitutional role as Senate speaker during Mr Netanyahu’s speech.

At least nine senators have reportedly announced plans to skip the event. Washington Post.

Illinois Senator Dick Durban is among them. He said he supports Israel, but will not stand up and cheer for the country’s current leader.

Senator Bernie Sanders also said he would not attend the speech to protest the “all-out war” being waged by the Netanyahu government in the Gaza Strip.

“His policies in Gaza and the West Bank and his refusal to support a two-state solution must be strongly condemned,” Senator Sanders said in a social media post.

Israel has launched an operation in Gaza to destroy Hamas in response to a unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7In which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

More than 39,000 people have died in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and militants.

The attack continued as the World Health Organization said it was “extremely concerned” about the possibility of another outbreak of highly infectious polio virus in Gaza after traces were found in wastewater.