Nancy Pelosi sparks online debate by opposing Benjamin Netanyahu's invitation to Congress

WASHINGTON, DC: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has voiced strong opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming address to Congress.

Republican congressional leaders announced on Thursday evening that Netanyahu will speak in a joint meeting on July 24th.

Nancy Pelosi criticizes Benjamin Netanyahu's invitation amidst growing Israel-Hamas war

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued a statement emphasizing that the “bipartisan, bicameral meeting symbolizes the enduring relationship between the US and Israel.”

Pelosi told CNN anchor Dana Bash that she “absolutely” would not have invited Netanyahu to the Capitol if she were still speaker.

She also suggested that Netanyahu might not remain prime minister by July. Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s security cabinet, is anticipated to announce his resignation from the council on Saturday evening due to disagreements with Netanyahu over the Gaza war.

When asked by Bash if she would have invited Netanyahu, Pelosi firmly responded, “No. Absolutely not. Absolutely not. I think this is wrong. Frankly, I didn’t approve of his being invited the last time. But the speaker, just on his own, invited him without consulting with the rest of the leadership. And he came and he criticized President Obama for the masterful work that he had done with the nuclear agreement regarding Iran to stop them from developing a nuclear weapon.

"And I thought it was completely inappropriate. I feel it’s very sad that he has been invited, but who knows by then why he still be prime minister? What is Benny Gantz going to be saying tomorrow? What’s happening?”

Pelosi referenced the ongoing dissatisfaction within Netanyahu's cabinet, which extends beyond Gantz. She expressed a hope that Netanyahu would act as a statesman and prioritize the well-being of Israel.

“We all love Israel. We thought October seventh was terrible. Hamas is a terrorist organization. They’re dedicated to the destruction of Israel. The hostages are not free. The people of Gaza are suffering. We need to help them and not have him stand in the way of that for such a long time," she stated.

"He is Netanyahu. So I think it’s just I think it’s going to invite more of what we have seen in terms of discontent among our own people… Let’s try to have a two-state solution to make it to make it make peace, in the region, rather than coming to the capital to draw protesters,” she concluded.

Netizens react to growing discontent over Benjamin Netanyahu’s invitation

A user tweeted, "The degree of tone deafness from our leaders is unbelievable."

Another added, "Ok if a former die-hard Israel supporter like *Pelosi* is opposed to a visit from Bibi you KNOW the politics on this are shifting." [sic]

A user stated, "This doesn’t add up. Pelosi’s statement stinks to high heaven."

"when you've lost Nancy Pelosi," asserted a user. [sic] "Nancy Pelosi is absolutely right," claimed another user.

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