House Speaker Mike Johnson, representing Louisiana, revealed his intention to extend an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress on the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. In an upbeat tone on CNBC's "Squawk Box," Johnson expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I would love to have him come in and address a joint session of Congress. We’ll certainly extend that invitation."
Johnson highlighted the reciprocal invitation he received from Netanyahu to speak at the Knesset, emphasizing the need to coordinate schedules. However, he criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for his recent remarks challenging Netanyahu's leadership and advocating for new elections in Israel. Johnson termed Schumer's comments "patently absurd" and likened them to calling for regime change in Ukraine during its crisis.
Responding to queries about Schumer's potential involvement in Netanyahu's congressional address, Johnson remained optimistic, stating, "Well, I guess we’ll find out." He expressed confidence in garnering bipartisan support for Netanyahu's speech, emphasizing the importance of standing in solidarity with Israel.
Netanyahu's previous address to Congress in 2015, during a Republican-controlled session, was recalled, where he critiqued the Obama administration's negotiations with Iran. Recently, Netanyahu engaged with Senate Republicans via video conference, reiterating Israel's determination to "finish the job" against Hamas.
Amidst these developments, the White House anticipates hosting an Israeli delegation in Washington. Following a call between President
Login