The Middle East Democracy Center is deeply dismayed that Congressional leadership has granted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for an unprecedented fourth time, the rare honor of addressing a joint session of Congress today. The address is unconscionable particularly as Israeli forces are bombing schools, homes, and refugee camps in Gaza, killing more 39,000 Palestinians and injuring tens of thousands more.
Instead of working toward a ceasefire or securing the release of hostages, the government of Israel has intensified its months-long war on Gaza. In the last two weeks alone, Israeli forces killed at least 90 people when bombing the Israeli-designated safe zone of al-Muwasi, and 70 more people when conducting strikes on Khan Younis.
Meanwhile, in an affront to longstanding, bipartisan U.S. policy and U.N. security council resolutions, the Israeli Knesset overwhelmingly passed a measure on July 18 rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state. Two days later, the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion determined that Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian territories is a violation of international law and states are obliged to ensure they do not assist Israel’s “illegal presence” in the occupied territories.
It is a welcome sign that some members of Congress are willing to speak out against Netanyahu’s speech. But a fundamental change in U.S. policy toward Israel and Palestine is desperately needed. We urge Congress to uphold domestic and international law, immediately suspend military assistance to Israel, and do all in its power to end this war and support a path forward for Palestinian statehood.
