Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning another U.S. visit to address Congress, but the woman on track to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in November’s election won’t be there.
Vice President Kamala Harris has opted to skip the address, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) had some tough words for her and Joe Biden, who pulled a similar stunt when he was vice president.
According to the New York Post:
History is repeating itself on Capitol Hill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson slammed Vice President Kamala Harris’ “unconscionable” decision to skip Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress on Wednesday — much like President Biden did during the Israeli prime minister’s last speech to US lawmakers in 2015.
“President Biden, who was the vice president at the time, skipped that address just as our current vice president will be boycotting the speech,” Johnson (R-La.) told The Post in an interview on the eve of Netanyahu’s speech.
“I believe that’s unconscionable,” said Johnson.
The House speaker said Netanyahu’s arrival in Washington comes at “a very important” moment, with Biden abandoning his 2024 re-election campaign, endorsing Harris but still having to lead the nation as wars rage in Ukraine and Israel.
ADVERTISEMENT“He’ll emphasize the importance of America’s resolve and our support,” Johnson predicted of Netanyahu’s speech. “Israel is in a war for its very survival. It’s arguably the most desperate time for Israel since they became a nation-state again.”
Democrats always seem to have an excuse for boycotting the Chamber when Israel’s Prime Minister addresses Congress.
Joe Biden had a weak excuse for missing the last Netanyahu address in 2015, and now Kamala Harris is skipping his speech tomorrow.
This is inexcusable. pic.twitter.com/fRmwCryWxs
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 23, 2024
Harris’ decision sparked significant backlash on social media:
Kamala Harris & the Democrats have a SERIOUS anti-Semitism problem.
They cheer-on pro-Hamas agitators.
They no-show Netanyahu’s arrival.
They refuse to attend his speech.
They hide their meetings for optics.
They take American Jews for granted.@GOP stands proudly with our… pic.twitter.com/TCN7VDCOcM— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) July 23, 2024
When President Zelensky addressed a joint session of Congress, VP Kamala Harris was in her seat as President of the Senate.
When Prime Minister Netanyahu comes to speak, she will abandon her seat & skip the speech.
Both American allies.
Both at war.
One is treated differently. pic.twitter.com/q23GJp1wYf— Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) July 23, 2024
Kamala Harris’ refusal to greet Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the tarmac is reprehensible.
Her plan to boycott his joint address to Congress is shameful.
It’s clear that Harris sides with the woke antisemitic members of her party.
Texas will always stand with Israel.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 23, 2024
Donald Trump, however, is looking forward to his meeting with Netanyahu.
There. You see? This is the real reason Netanyahu is in the US. It has nothing to do with Congress, Harris, or Biden. That’s just the plausible deniability excuse Netanyahu is using to see Trump. No matter how Republicans spin it, Bibi is only here to see Trump. pic.twitter.com/AEKAZcfEI0
— Jack’s House 🇺🇦 (@FluteMagician) July 23, 2024
According to Fox News:
Former President Trump is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Friday.
ADVERTISEMENTThe planned meeting comes during Netanyahu’s visit to the United States. Netanyahu is set to first visit Washington D.C. where he will address Congress on Wednesday, and meet with President Biden on Thursday afternoon for a bilateral meeting. He is expected to join Biden to later meet with the families of Americans held hostage by Hamas.
Netanyahu’s visit comes amid the war between Israel and Hamas after the terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
Here’s a clip of Johnson’s remarks about Harris:
SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON: “It is outrageous to me and inexcusable that Kamala Harris is boycotting [PM Netanyahu’s speech]. Kamala Harris will abandon her seat. She will not be there because she refuses to attend. She needs to be held accountable for that.”pic.twitter.com/wkWhNja6Rr
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) July 23, 2024
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