US House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced plans to extend an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress. This decision follows a recommendation from members of Johnson's conference during a recent meeting.
Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, confirmed the invitation on Thursday morning, expressing his intention to reach out to Netanyahu. He also mentioned that he has been invited by Netanyahu to speak at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, which he described as a 'great honor.'
Notably, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy had addressed the Knesset during his tenure in May 2023, highlighting the significance of such exchanges between the US and Israel.
However, the invitation to address a joint session of Congress would require approval from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer, who had criticized Netanyahu in a recent floor speech and called for new elections in Israel, holds a key role in determining the outcome of such invitations.
Johnson's decision to invite Netanyahu comes at a time when discussions around additional military aid to Israel have hit a roadblock in Congress. The political dynamics surrounding US-Israel relations add complexity to the situation, with various stakeholders weighing in on the matter.
As the diplomatic dialogue between the US and Israel continues to evolve, the potential address by Netanyahu to Congress could serve as a platform for discussing key issues and strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
