By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu’s invitation to “present the truth” about the war against Hamas in Gaza has been fixed for July 24, a day he is expected to address a joint session of U.S. Congress, Republican leaders said on Thursday.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in a statement said Netanyahu will speak during a joint session of both chambers with the US National Assembly.
Heritage Times HT recalls that the congressional leaders had in a letter of invitation sent to Netanyahu last month said, “We invite you to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combatting terror and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region,”
In accepting the invitation, Netanyahu said he was “excited for the privilege to present in front of the representatives of the American people and the entire world the truth about our just war against those who wish to kill us.”
The planned visit comes amid tensions between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden, who has supported Israel’s campaign in Gaza but has recently criticized its tactics, a development that saw Washington withhold shipment of some bombs after Israel went ahead with its bombardment in Rafah.
During Netanyahu’s visit, it is not clear if he would meet with the US leader, Biden.
Biden’s support for Israel has emerged as a political liability for the president in the run-up to November’s elections, with some Democrats and voters angered over the thousands of civilian deaths in Gaza.
Republicans on the other hand have also criticized Biden for his position on the war, saying he is not doing enough to help Israel.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a separate statement that he had joined in making the invitation to Netanyahu.
“I have clear and profound disagreements with the prime minister, which I have voiced both privately and publicly and will continue to do so,” Schumer said. “But because America’s relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends one person or prime minister I joined the request for him to speak.”
Hamas attacked Israeli territory last Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and capturing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. About half the hostages were freed in the November truce.
Israel in response launched a military assault on Gaza that has since killed more than 36,000 people, according to health officials in the territory, who say thousands more dead are feared buried under the rubble.
