Top congressional leaders are discussing an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address U.S. Congress. It's a move that's controversial to some and would show support to the embattled leader and his country in the face of growing global criticism.

Washington

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may soon address the U.S. Congress as top congressional leaders discuss extending an invitation. This gesture aims to show support for Netanyahu and Israel amidst global criticism and pending allegations from the International Criminal Court.

The move to invite Netanyahu has received mixed reactions within the U.S. legislature. Some congressional leaders emphasize the importance of backing Israel and believe the address would resonate positively with many Americans. However, there is opposition, especially among certain Democratic lawmakers, who argue that the priority should be resolving ongoing conflicts rather than offering support seen as prolonging hostilities.

The potential invitation comes as Netanyahu faces diplomatic challenges from Europe. Ireland, Norway, and Spain have announced plans to formally recognize Palestine as an independent state, which Israel strongly opposes. These European countries view recognition as a step towards peace, while the U.S. maintains that a two-state solution should arise from direct negotiations between the involved parties.

President Joe Biden has reiterated the U.S. stance against unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, favoring negotiations over imposed solutions. Prime Minister Netanyahu has yet to indicate whether he will accept the invitation to speak before the U.S. Congress.



Netanyahu could address U.S. Congress

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing growing pressure this week after prosecutors at the International Criminal Court requested arrest warrants for him over alleged war crimes in Gaza. A move strongly denounced by President Biden and now congressional leaders want to show their support by inviting Netanyahu to Capitol Hill. It's important that we support the Jewish State of Israel and having the Prime Minister come in and address a joint session of Congress I think would be would be well received by most Americans. But not all lawmakers, particularly some Democrats, are on board. I don't think that we should see support for it whatsoever. Our responsibility is not to cheer on the continued conflict here. Our job is to bring it to a resolution. But Netanyahu has more pressing concerns than the potential arrest warrants. Ireland, Norway and Spain announced they'll formally recognize Palestine as its own state, a major diplomatic blow for Israel. This evil cannot be given a state. This would be a terrorist state. Those European nations see statehood for Palestine as a way to end the war. But the U.S. has no plans to follow suit. President Biden, as I just said, has been on the record supporting a two-state solution. He has been equally emphatic on the record that that two-state solution should be brought about through direct negotiations through the parties, not through unilateral recognition. Prime Minister Netanyahu has not told U.S. leaders whether he would accept an invitation to address Congress. In Washington, Rebecca Kastor, Fox News.

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