Netanyahu to Address Congress on July 24
Joint Meeting Marks Show of Support for Israel
Prime Minister Netanyahu to Present Perspective on Gaza Conflict
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress on July 24, top congressional Republicans announced Thursday. The visit will provide a show of wartime support for the longtime leader.
Netanyahu has been invited to deliver an address to Congress by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). The move is seen as a sign of continued bipartisan support for Israel, despite recent tensions over the Obama administration's nuclear deal with Iran.
In his address, Netanyahu is expected to present the Israeli perspective on the recent conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The conflict, which began in July, has resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 Palestinians and 50 Israelis.
The invitation to Netanyahu has been met with mixed reactions. Some members of Congress have expressed concerns that the address could be seen as an attempt to influence the outcome of the congressional elections in November. However, others have welcomed the opportunity to hear from the Israeli leader directly about the conflict.
The visit will be Netanyahu's first to the United States since the start of the Gaza conflict. He is expected to meet with President Obama and other top U.S. officials during his visit.
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