Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress on July 24, sources say

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 22: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses world leaders during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on September 22, 2023 in New York City. Dignitaries and their delegations from across the globe have descended on New York for the annual event. This year marks the 78th session of the General Debate at the UN Headquarters and has focused on the crisis of global warming. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

By Jessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress next month, according to sources.

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Netanyahu will speak before Congress on July 24, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

Netanyahu was formally invited by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York; Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky; and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, to address Congress, according to the AP. The invitation did not say what the date was going to be, according to CBS News.

“The offer was intended to “highlight America’s solidarity with Israel,” the AP reported.

“I am thrilled by the privilege to represent Israel before both houses of Congress and to present the truth about our just war against those seeking our lives to the representatives of the American people and the entire world,” Netanyahu said on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday, according to CBS News.

[ Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu invited to address Congress ]

Netanyahu’s appearance comes at a time when Congress is divided over the war between Israel and the terror group Hamas. Republicans have supported Israel while some Democrat support has strayed. Some in the party say they will not attend Netanyahu’s address, CBS News reported.

At the end of last week, President Biden announced a proposal that could lead to the end of the war in Gaza, the AP reported. Some Israelis and other world leaders have pressured Netanyahu to accept the terms of the agreement, but he claims that a permanent cease-fire is a “nonstarter” until certain other conditions are met.

The Israel-Hamas war is entering its eighth month after the surprise attack on Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7, the AP reported.