Netanyahu Travels to Address Congress
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to arrive in the United States on Monday and is slated to address Congress on Wednesday. Netanyahu is expected to reaffirm the U.S. and Israel’s alliance and focus on coordinating the two countries’ response to the conflicts in the Middle East.
U.S.-Israel Relations Under Netanyahu
Netanyahu has been criticized around the world, including by the Biden administration and congressional Democrats, for the manner in which he has conducted Israel’s war against Hamas. They have continued to put pressure on Israel to resume cease-fire talks with the terrorist group and have even withheld arms shipments.
Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with Biden on Tuesday, but the meeting is unlikely since Biden is reportedly still sick with COVID. If the leaders do meet, Netanyahu will be the first world leader to meet with Biden after he dropped out of the presidential race. (READ MORE: COVID Brings Biden’s Campaign to a Halt )
In May, House Republicans who have criticized Biden for not showing enough support for Israel spearheaded an effort to invite Netanyahu to speak to Congress. The letter to Netanyahu inviting him to address Congress was signed by both Democrats and Republicans, indicating bipartisan support.
Before flying to Washington, Netanyahu told reporters, “I will tell my friends on both sides of the aisle that regardless who the American people choose as their next president, Israel remains America’s indispensable and strong ally in the Middle East.”
Netanyahu is also slated to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris. It is unclear if he will meet with former President Donald Trump.
Threat of Wider Conflict
Concerns about the war in Gaza spreading into a wider conflict in the Middle East have continued to increase as more and more parties have become involved.
The meeting comes amid heightened tensions with the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist group. Houthi rebels began striking Israel in solidarity with Hamas after Oct. 7. A few days ago, the Yemen-based Houthis launched a drone attack that hit Tel Aviv for the first time, escalating the Houthi-Israeli conflict.
The U.S. and U.K. have also become embroiled in the struggle with the Houthis who have been attempting to attack commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. American and British forces have been launching air strikes against the Houthis in an attempt to protect shipping and keep commerce flowing.
Lebanon has also become embroiled in the conflict as Hezbollah, another Iranian-backed terrorist group, has launched attacks on Israel in solidarity with Hamas. The group has even attempted to drag Cyprus, an Israeli ally and key player in humanitarian relief for Gaza, into the conflict. (READ MORE: Hezbollah Sets Its Sights on Cyprus).
The UN has also become involved, issuing a cease-fire resolution, and its top court, the International Court of Justice, ruled that Israel’s “occupation and annexation” of Palestinian territory is “unlawful.” A prosecutor in the International Criminal Court is also using the ruling to seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israel Minister of Defense Yoan Gallant.
The meeting in Washington will be a tightrope walk for Netanyahu as he attempts to garner support from both parties to ensure stability and security in the region, alleviate fears of a regional conflict, and ensure the rescue of the hostages.
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