US lawmakers invite Netanyahu to address Congress

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Democrat and Republican leaders of the both chambers of the US Congress on Friday invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address lawmakers.

The formal invitation letter to Netanyahu was signed by all four Congressional leaders, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“We join the State of Israel in your struggle against terror, especially as Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens captive and its leaders jeopardize regional stability,” they said in the letter addressing Netanyahu.

“For this reason, on behalf of the bipartisan leadership of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, we would like to invite you to address a Joint Meeting of Congress,” they added.

The Hill news website cited a source familiar saying that the address is expected to take place “as soon as the next eight weeks or soon after August recess.”

Netanyahu's office did not immediately confirm the reports.

Progressive lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders said that they would boycott an address by Netanyahu to Congress, citing the ongoing humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its war nearly eight months ago, mostly women and children, and over 82,000 others injured, according to local health authorities. The Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack killed less than 1,200 people.

US President Joe Biden said Friday that Israel has presented Hamas with a three-phase deal that would end all hostilities in the besieged Gaza Strip and release hostages that continue to be held in the coastal enclave.

“It's time for this war to end, for the day after to begin,” Biden added.