Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Congress on Wednesday, but some lawmakers chose not to attend. They were unhappy with how he is managing the war against Hamas in Gaza.
Among those who did not attend were U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, and U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) and Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago). Schakowsky and others met with families of Israeli hostages instead. She mentioned that there is growing resentment towards Netanyahu due to his failure to end the conflict.
Schakowsky said people are angry with Netanyahu, known as ‘Bibi,’ for not prioritizing a cease-fire. She stated, “He is not interested in ending the war.”
Netanyahu discussed the ongoing war, which began after Hamas’s attack on October 7. This attack resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people in southern Israel and the taking of about 240 hostages. The conflict, now lasting 291 days, has led to nearly 40,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, causing severe effects, especially on children, according to Hamas-run health officials.
Over 50 senators and representatives did not attend Netanyahu’s speech. Meanwhile, police used pepper spray as protests against his address grew in Washington, D.C.
Before the speech, Durbin stated, “I have long supported helping Israel in its self-defense. But let me make clear that support for Israel’s right to exist is not a blank check for extremist policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu.”
Ramirez went further, labeling Netanyahu a “war criminal.”
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Chicago) attended the speech but also criticized Netanyahu’s policies, particularly his treatment of Palestinians needing medical and humanitarian aid.
Netanyahu planned to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday and was scheduled to meet with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday.
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The controversy around Netanyahu’s speech and the lawmakers’ boycott underscores the deep divisions and strong opinions on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. As the war continues, the debate over the best path to peace and stability remains heated and unresolved.
