Nearly 100 Democratic lawmakers have announced they will skip Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The boycott is a response to Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, which has resulted in devastating humanitarian consequences and widespread civilian casualties.
Criticism from Leaders
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza war, calling it a “brutal strategy beyond any acceptable level of self-defense.” Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Nancy Pelosi have also announced they will boycott the speech.
War Crimes Allegations
The International Criminal Court has requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and others on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Protests and Arrests
Protests against the war in Gaza have been ongoing in Washington, D.C., with over 200 arrests reported on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
Reasons for Boycott:
Opposition to Gaza Conflict Handling
Significant civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis.
Criticism of Military Prioritization
Netanyahu’s refusal to consider a peaceful solution and prioritization of military action over diplomacy.
Concerns about Occupation
Israel’s occupation of Palestine and the International Court of Justice’s ruling that the occupation is illegal and constitutes apartheid.
Impact:
The boycott sends a strong message of disapproval from the Democratic Party to Netanyahu’s government and underscores the growing international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The event may also highlight the divisions within the US Congress on issues related to Israel and the Middle East peace process.
The boycott may influence the tone and content of Netanyahu’s speech, potentially leading to a more conciliatory approach or acknowledgment of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.