Prominent Senate Democrat Calls Netanyahu Invitation to Address Congress a Mistake

  • Van Hollen says prime minister has shrugged off Biden requests
  • US should tie offensive weapons to Israel pledge, senator says
Senator Chris Van HollenPhotographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

A prominent Senate Democrat criticized the decision to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the US Congress, saying it risks signaling that the US endorses his war strategy when it should be using leverage to demand more protections for Palestinian civilians.

Senate and House leaders from both parties have invited Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of Congress scheduled for July 24. They did so despite criticism over the civilian death toll in the war in Gaza, which has caused divisions among US lawmakers, led to public disagreements with President Joe Biden and sparked protests around the country.