Netanyahu to Address US Congress Amid Protests and Rising Tensions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address the US Congress in Washington, DC, at the invitation of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. This marks Netanyahu’s first international trip since the conflict in Gaza began nearly nine months ago, during which over 39,000 people have lost their lives.

Netanyahu’s speech aims to strengthen bipartisan support for Israel as he faces growing scrutiny over his handling of the ongoing war. The address is expected to coincide with a “day of rage” organized by protesters in the US capital. The demonstrations highlight the increasing tensions surrounding the conflict and Netanyahu’s leadership.

American families of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza will be present at the speech, urging Congress to prioritize efforts for their release. The prolonged war has intensified international and domestic pressure on Netanyahu, especially following last week’s ruling by the International Court of Justice declaring Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories as “illegal.” Israel has rejected this ruling.

In May, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court applied for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and several senior Hamas leaders, citing alleged war crimes by both parties. Netanyahu condemned the prosecutor’s actions as “a complete distortion of reality,” while Hamas accused the ICC of attempting to “equate the victim with the executioner.”

Domestically, Netanyahu faces significant backlash, with a Channel 12 poll indicating that 72% of Israelis believe he should resign due to security failures on October 7 and the continued captivity of hostages by Hamas. The situation underscores the complex challenges Netanyahu faces both at home and abroad.