Hi,

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his speech to a joint session of Congress yesterday. Dozens of lawmakers skipped the speech and thousands of pro-peace protesters rallied around the Capitol building against Netanyahu and the ongoing atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza.1

In his speech, Netanyahu said these protesters “stand with evil.”2 It is no surprise that Netanyahu’s speech contained inflammatory language meant to vilify support for peace in Gaza and human rights for Palestinians. Netanyahu has time and again blocked ceasefire deals, all while the United States continues to supply the Israeli military with weapons and funding.

Mike Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, and Mitch McConnell invited Netanyahu to give this speech, offering him legitimacy at a time when Netanyahu is blocking diplomacy from ending the onslaught on the people of Gaza.

Sign the petition: Urge President Biden and Congress to broker a ceasefire and end all offensive weapons sales to the Israeli military.

Netanyahu’s inflammatory remarks parrot what Speaker Johnson said about Senator Bernie Sanders and others who did not attend the speech. Johnson said lawmakers who skipped the speech were “siding with terrorists.”3

The invitation for this speech was always a cynical ploy by Republicans to villainize anyone in Congress who skipped the speech and launch divisive rhetorical attacks at Democrats. Why did Schumer and Jeffries sign the invitation?

Hamas' attacks beginning on October 7 must be condemned but Israel's response has been disproportionate and taken an extraordinary civilian toll — all while America has supplied the bombs and funding Israel has used to kill tens of thousands of Palestinians.

With tens of thousands of Palestinians dead and Netanyahu blocking a peace deal, our lawmakers must change course and secure a ceasefire.

Sign the petition: Ceasefire NOW!

Thanks for taking action,

Mark and the team at Demand Progress

Sources:

  1. Associated Press, "Thousands fill Washington’s streets to protest Israel’s war in Gaza during Netanyahu visit,” July 24, 2024.
  2. Akbar Shahid Ahmed on Twitter, "'Many anti-Israel protesters choose to stand...,” July 24, 2024.
  3. The Hill, "Sanders fires back at Johnson for ‘disgusting lie’ about siding with Hamas,” June 5, 2024.

 

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