Mike Johnson: Netanyahu Will Speak at the U.S. Congress

Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, announced on Thursday, May 25, that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, will soon address a joint session of the U.S. Congress. Johnson, a senior Republican congressman and critic of the Biden administration's policies towards Israel, stated during his speech at the annual Israeli Independence Day ceremony at the country's embassy in Washington, 'Netanyahu's speech in Congress will be a powerful and timely display of support for the Israeli government at a time when it needs it most.' Johnson said, 'Tonight I am pleased to announce... we will soon host Prime Minister Netanyahu at a joint session of Congress.' Johnson did not provide further details about the date of Netanyahu's speech but reported to reporters on the sidelines of the event that Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader and Senate Majority Leader, informed him that he would sign Netanyahu's invitation. This year's ceremony at the Israeli embassy coincided with the 76th anniversary of the establishment of the country and was designated as a 'solidarity event.' An Israeli official stated that this year the embassy wants to express bipartisan appreciation to American lawmakers for the approval of billions of dollars in new U.S. military aid by Congress. Johnson also condemned the issuance of arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. The chief prosecutor of the ICC accused Netanyahu and Gallant of 'deliberate attacks against civilian populations' and 'starving civilians' as a tactic of war in Gaza. In addition to calling for the arrest of Netanyahu and Gallant, he demanded the prosecution of Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of Hamas), and Ismail Haniyeh for the group's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. U.S. President Joe Biden reacted to the ICC's accusations against Israeli officials on Thursday, May 25, emphasizing that the U.S. does not recognize the court's jurisdiction. He stated at the White House, 'We have made our position on the International Criminal Court clear. It is very simple; we do not recognize their jurisdiction. We believe there is no similarity between what Israel has done and what Hamas has done.' Speaking in Congress is an honor generally reserved for the closest allies of the United States. Netanyahu has spoken in the U.S. Congress three times since 2014. The United Nations resumed humanitarian aid to Gaza through the American dock. The White House: More humanitarian aid is flowing to Gaza. Blinken says the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are 'very close' to a security and defense agreement. The Speaker of the House of Representatives: Washington should allow Ukraine to conduct the war 'as it sees fit.' The Speaker of the House of Representatives to the ICC: Focus on Hamas and groups aligned with the Islamic Republic instead of Israel.