On July 24th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make his fourth address to Congress amidst rising tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.
The prime minister’s invitation was extended by Republicans and Democrats in a rare bipartisan gesture.
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Voices in Israel see this as an encouraging attestation of the bond between Israel and America.
On Saturday, Netanyahu received an invitation from the Republican and Democratic leadership of the Senate and House to address a joint session of Congress yet again, an honor reserved for America’s staunchest allies.
However, criticism was quick to erupt. Some on the left have voiced their contempt over the invitation, most notably Bernie Sanders who is vowing not to attend.
Related: Bernie Sanders Vows to Boycott Congressional Address by Benjamin Netanyahu – No One Cares
One of the four signees of the invitation, Democrat Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, has publicly criticized the prime minister but agrees that the ties with Israel supersede opinions on one specific politician.
“I have clear and profound disagreements with the Prime Minister, which I have voiced both privately and publicly and will continue to do so. But because America’s relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends one person or prime minister I joined the request for him to speak,” Schumer said.
Schumer was joined by fellow Democrat House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Republicans House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as signees for the invitation letter.
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The prime minister has addressed Congress three times before, in 1996, 2011, and 2015. His address in 2015 was controversial as he used the opportunity to voice criticism over Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran. Some saw this as inappropriate meddling with U.S. policy decisions and impolite at best for a guest, while others viewed it as an obligation of the prime minister to voice concern over a deal that could affect the security of Israel as well. The speech still creates controversy today, which is why many are on pins and needles for what Prime Minister Netanyahu will say in July.
The gesture to invite the prime minister is encouraging to those who want to see the alliance between our two countries reinforced. But the timing makes it unquestionably controversial. On one hand, a time of crisis is the greatest time to show support for our allies, something the Republicans will want to display so close to the election. On the other hand, we should be bracing now for the protests that will undoubtedly come from those on the left. And like a parent in a public place who can’t control their tantruming child, the embarrassment of our country’s weak liberal leaders is sure to follow.
Criticism on U.S. soil isn’t something that will surprise the prime minister. In fact, it shows either great boldness or obstinacy on behalf of Netanyahu to accept the invitation at a time when tensions are at their highest, and the division could be even further inflamed. It is not expected that the prime minister will mince words. That’s not the person he has shown us to be. So now, all we can do is brace for the aftermath – nothing is more sure to come.
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The very fact that we would invite such a controversial figure during a time of such high tensions proves what Schumer said – the relationship between Israel and the U.S. is ironclad. Perhaps it could be likened to brothers. Brothers may fight, brothers may disagree, but they stick together. If that analogy is too romantic for some, it at least can be said that we have no other ally like Israel. The future of our two countries will continue to be intertwined generations past this horrible season. In light of that, a visit from Israel’s prime minister can always be seen as welcome, in season and out. Bernie and the others on the far left can stay home.