Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer is leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to Israel this week, demonstrating support amid speculation of Democratic boycotts of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming address to Congress.
Nine House members will engage in meetings with Israeli leaders to receive updates on the situation in Gaza and address humanitarian concerns, as reported by Hoyer’s office. Discussions will also focus on securing a temporary ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
“I look forward to strengthening our vital US-Israel relationship even further during my first visit to Israel since the terror and devastation of October 7,” said Hoyer in a news release. “Both on this delegation and upon our return, we will continue working to maintain the strong, longstanding bipartisan consensus in Congress to support our ally, Israel.”
Netanyahu’s speech on July 24 comes at a time of strained relations with President Joe Biden regarding Israel’s war plans and humanitarian efforts in Gaza. While Congress approved aid to Ukraine and Israel in April, Democrats remain divided on Israel’s handling of the conflict with Hamas.
The potential meeting between Netanyahu and Biden at the White House remains unclear. Netanyahu has not publicly supported a peace proposal by Biden, and US officials have expressed frustration with Israel’s tactics, citing insufficient protection for civilians.
CNN has learned that several Democratic lawmakers are considering boycotting Netanyahu’s speech, with some already announcing their intentions to skip the event. In 2015, nearly 60 Democrats did not attend Netanyahu’s speech to Congress during tensions with then-President Barack Obama.
“If he wants to come to speak to members of Congress about how to end the war and release hostages, I would be fine doing that,” stated Rep. Ro Khanna of California on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “But I’m not going to sit in a one-way lecture.”
Joining in the boycott are Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Jim Clyburn, who have also declined to attend Netanyahu’s address.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called for new elections in Israel earlier this year, acknowledged his “clear and profound disagreements” with Netanyahu but defended his decision to invite the Israeli leader to speak.
“Because America’s relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends one person or prime minister, I joined the request for him to speak,” said Schumer earlier this month.
Reporting contributed by CNN’s Haley Talbot.
