Internet blasts Dems over reluctance to attend Benjamin Netanyahu's address at Congress as party remains divided on Israel

Senate Democrats are uncertain about attending the upcoming joint session of Congress, where Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to speak
PUBLISHED JUN 22, 2024
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu will address Congress on July 24, 2024 (Getty Images)
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu will address Congress on July 24, 2024 (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Senate Democrats seem to be uncertain about attending the upcoming joint session of Congress, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to speak.

"I haven't made up my mind yet," Democratic senator from Connecticut Chris Murphy said to Fox News Digital. When asked if he had any reservations in particular, he repeated, "I haven't made up my mind yet."

Bipartisan congressional leaders invited Benjamin Netanyahu to address lawmakers in conflict with Hamas in Gaza

Bipartisan congressional leaders extended an invitation to Netanyahu to address lawmakers last month amid Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in war-torn Gaza.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La wrote the letter with the following subject line: "To build on our enduring relationship and to highlight America’s solidarity with Israel, we invite you to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combatting terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region."

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 24: Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), speaks during a Senate Committee on Foreign
Sen. Chris Murphy said that he hasn't made his decision yet(D-CT) (Getty Images)

While Schumer has voiced criticism of Netanyahu, he supported the invitation, justifying his decision by stating, "America’s relationship with Israel is strong and enduring, going beyond any single individual or prime minister."

Sen Tom Carper, D-Del, stated of his possible attendance at the July 24 speech, "We'll have to see what conflicts with."

Senator Tina Smith, a Democrat from Minnesota, informed Fox News Digital, "I haven't made a decision yet." Similarly, Senator Brian Schatz, a Democrat from Hawaii, expressed uncertainty about attending the Israeli prime minister's speech.

Sen. Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith/ X)
Senator Tina Smith, a Democrat from Minnesota, told Fox News Digital that she had not yet made a decision (@SenTinaSmith/ X)

Sen Angus King, I-Maine, a member of the Democratic caucus in the upper chamber, stated, "I haven't even thought of it," refusing to say if he was hesitant to attend Netanyahu's speech.

Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders will not attend Benjamin Netanyahu's speech

Progressive vocal Democratic caucus members Sen Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Sen Bernie Sanders of Vermont have already stated that they will not be attending the speech.

Following the invitation, Sanders, a well-known opponent of Israel's wartime actions, issued a statement in which he stated, "It is a very sad day for our country that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited – by leaders from both parties – to address a joint meeting of the United States Congress."

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - JANUARY 21:  Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a Likud Party
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be addressing the US Congress on July 24 (Getty Images)

Warren allegedly told The Hill that she would not be attending, claiming that "Benjamin Netanyahu has created a humanitarian disaster."

While certain Senate Democrats from the mainstream have not yet finalized their decisions, several others have unequivocally confirmed their attendance when Netanyahu speaks next month.

Sen Kirsten Gillibrand and Sen Jacky Rosen plan to attend Benjamin Netanyahu's speech

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York, answered affirmatively when asked if she would attend. Similarly, Senator Jacky Rosen, a Democrat from Nevada, promptly confirmed her attendance.

In the swing state of Nevada, the vulnerable incumbent Democrat is currently up for reelection. Notably, Rosen is only the third Jewish woman in American history to serve as a senator. She also serves as a co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism.

Senators Jon Tester (D-Montana), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), all up for reelection in November, intend to attend Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech.

Senator Schumer's office declined to comment on the possibility of Democratic absences when queried by Fox News Digital.

Internet slams Democrats for their reluctance to attend Benjamin Netanyahu's speech

As soon as the news went viral on social media, users started reacting to it. "Most of Dems continue to show that they are on the wrong side of history," a user said.



 

Another user slammed saying, "how can anyone trust a democrat when they will abandonded you at a whim our most trusted ally in the world is being destroyed by a stupid corrupt proffesional politician that lines his pockets." [sic]



 

A commentator wrote, "So bad … Dems really s**k!"



 

"Democratic politicians are cowards towards Israel," one user stated.



 

A person added, "These Dems are spineless chickens."



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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