House Speaker Mike Johnson invites Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address US Congress
Invitation comes amid strained relations between Biden administration and Israeli government over Israel's actions in Gaza Strip
Johnson made announcement at Israeli Embassy Independence Day reception on May 24, 2024
Netanyahu's acceptance and date for speech are yet to be confirmed
Opposition from Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi, expressed concerns about invitation and potential backlash
Several progressive US lawmakers plan to boycott Netanyahu speech if it goes ahead
In a notable development, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session of the United States Congress. The invitation comes amid strained relations between the Biden administration and the Israeli government over Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip during its war against Hamas terrorists. Netanyahu's acceptance of Johnson's invitation, however, is yet to be confirmed with a date for the speech still undecided.
Johnson made this announcement during his keynote speech at the Israeli Embassy's annual Independence Day reception on May 24, 2024. He described it as a 'strong show of support for the Israeli government in their time of greatest need.' The diplomatic gathering took place amid reports that plans to invite Netanyahu to Congress would result in backlash from Democrats.
Several Democratic Party sources have reportedly expressed concerns about inviting Netanyahu, with some arguing that it would increase polarization and highlight disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over the conduct of the Israeli government. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has also been quoted as saying 'No' to the idea of inviting Netanyahu.
Despite this opposition, Johnson remains committed to extending an invitation to Netanyahu. He had earlier given Schumer a deadline to sign the joint letter inviting Netanyahu but did not specify what would happen if Schumer declined. The Senate Majority Leader has yet to respond publicly on the matter.
This development comes after reports that many progressive US lawmakers plan to boycott a Netanyahu speech if it goes ahead. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the situation in the Gaza Strip continue to be contentious issues, with both sides accusing each other of human rights violations and causing unnecessary suffering.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to address a joint session of the US Congress, but this invitation is facing fierce pushback from Democrats.
Some Democrats are concerned that inviting Netanyahu would legitimize him and undermine opposition in Israel.
Netanyahu’s aides have provided no updates about the possible speech, and the White House has not been involved in the planning process.
Accuracy
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Deception
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None Found At Time Of
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The article contains a few informal fallacies and appeals to authority. It also uses inflammatory rhetoric in some instances. No formal fallacies were found.
. . . some top House Democrats are going so far as to say Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) should not sign onto the invitation.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said of the idea, simply: "No."
Two of Netanyahu's aides said they had no updates about a possible speech.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who saw Netanyahu earlier this week in Israel, said on Wednesday that the Prime Minister didn't speak to the White House about the speech.
House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to invite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address lawmakers despite opposition.
Some Democrats have urged Schumer to sign the invitation, arguing that it should be bipartisan.
Axios reports that many progressive US lawmakers plan to boycott a Netanyahu speech if it goes ahead.
Accuracy
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Deception
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The article is highly deceptive in its portrayal of the opposition to inviting Netanyahu to address Congress. It heavily leans on the opinions and statements of the author without disclosing that they are editorializing. The author presents quotes from various Democrats opposing Netanyahu's speech as facts, without providing context or disclosing that these are opinions. For example, the statement by Rep. Dean Phillips is presented as a fact about Netanyahu dividing this country, when it is actually his opinion.
Yet some Democrats urged Schumer to sign the invitation. [...] Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida said the summons ‘should be bipartisan’ even if the party has ‘policy disagreements’ with Netanyahu.
However, members of Schumer’s Democratic party have reportedly pushed back hard against a Netanyahu speech to both houses and are urging the top lawmaker to not sign the invitation letter. [...] Rep. Dan Kildee from Michigan, a senior party member told Axios, 'I don’t think it’s a good time… let’s not complicate an already complicated situation.'
The possible divide between the two parties over the issue underscored the politicization of policy on Israel, months before a November presidential election in which Democratic US President Joe Biden is running against Republican former president Donald Trump.
WASHINGTON — The Republican leader of the US House of Representatives said on Tuesday he was close to inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address lawmakers even if the Senate’s Democratic leader did not go along. House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters at the Capitol he had given Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer until Tuesday to sign a letter inviting Netanyahu to address a joint meeting. 'If not, we’re going to proceed and invite Netanyahu just to the House,' Johnson said.
Fallacies
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The article contains several instances of informal fallacies and appeals to authority. The author reports statements made by various representatives without explicitly stating whether they are endorsing or disagreeing with those statements. This creates a potential for ambiguity and misunderstanding. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when quoting some Democrats' criticisms of Netanyahu, which could be perceived as biased.
Rep. Dan Kildee from Michigan, a senior party member told Axios, ‘I don’t think it’s a good time… let’s not complicate an already complicated situation.’
Netanyahu is dividing this country… in a similar way he’s divided Israel, and I think that’s awfully dangerous.
