Abigail Hauslohner & Liz Goodwin (jewishworldreview.com)
Many Democrats are still expected to be in attendance. Some chastised colleagues for their protest, echoing Republicans in their argument that the United States should continue to display a steadfast commitment to the Jewish state, regardless of politics.
"Israel's embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday, an event that is expected to draw crowds of protesters and provide a sharp contrast between the United States' two political parties in their evolving approach to one of America's closest allies.
"Netanyahu comes to Capitol Hill at a fraught time in both Israeli and American politics. Already a divisive figure before Hamas's cross-border Oct. 7 attack that left some 1,200 Israelis dead and ignited the war in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu faces a growing tide of dissent at home, where two-thirds of the Israeli public want to see him leave office.
"In Washington, Netanyahu has come to embody the Biden administration's frustrations with an ally that some officials see as having exploited America's support to mete out excessive punishment to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. Republicans, by contrast, have embraced Netanyahu - seeking to portray the right-wing leader as a cherished ally, betrayed and undermined by President Biden and the Democrats in Israel's most critical hour of need.
"Netanyahu's speech Wednesday before Congress, in response to an invitation initially extended by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) alone, presents an uncomfortable moment for Democrats, who remain divided in their opinions of the U.S.-Israel relationship - an emotional topic for many voters - four months ahead of a turbulent presidential election.
"Netanyahu landed in Washington on Monday, the day after President Biden announced he was quitting the race for a second term and endorsed Vice President Harris as his successor. Harris has been careful not to publicly diverge from Biden's staunch support of Israel. But she was among the first high-ranking administration officials to speak emphatically about civilian casualties, question the way Israel has prosecuted its war against Hamas and viscerally express concern about the devastation in Gaza.
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