Speaker of the U.S. House Confirms: Netanyahu to Speak in Congress on July 24

Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, confirmed on Thursday evening Washington time that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech in the U.S. Congress is scheduled for July 24. He announced this news on the social media platform X, stating, "We are eager to hear the Israeli government's perspective on defending democracy, combating terrorism, and establishing a fair and lasting peace in the region." Hours earlier, the Associated Press reported, citing an informed source, that Netanyahu's speech before lawmakers of both chambers of the U.S. Congress would take place on July 24, coinciding with the third of Mordad. While it seems that the Biden administration has disagreements with Netanyahu regarding the continuation of the war in Gaza, congressional leaders invited him to speak at their joint session. This invitation was signed a week ago by Mike Johnson, Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader, and Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader. The day after, the office of the Israeli Prime Minister quoted Netanyahu as saying he was very impressed that he could present the reality of the ongoing war to the representatives of the American people and the world. Biden is calling for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza; however, Netanyahu claims he will continue the war until the complete destruction of this Iranian-backed terrorist group. The U.S. President acknowledged in an interview with Time magazine published on Tuesday, June 5, that his relationship with Netanyahu has become strained as the death toll in the Gaza war rises. Biden, who announced a new ceasefire proposal in Gaza last week, made an unprecedented criticism, stating that there are "compelling reasons" to believe that Netanyahu has prolonged the conflict with Hamas to maintain his political power. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to sanction the International Criminal Court, which calls for the arrest of Israeli leaders.