Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) announced she will boycott Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before Congress on Wednesday, labeling him a “war criminal” and describing the invitation as a “dark day” in US history.
Ocasio-Cortez expressed her disapproval on social media, stating that Netanyahu’s presence in Congress was a “dark day” due to his alleged war crimes and the fact that an International Criminal Court prosecutor has requested an arrest warrant for him. She claimed that 40,000 Palestinians have died as a result of Israeli actions and that Netanyahu is a war criminal.
The ICC prosecutor had requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and several Hamas leaders in May. The invitation for Netanyahu to speak before Congress was signed by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) in June.
Several lawmakers have already announced they will not attend Netanyahu’s speech, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who referred to Netanyahu as a “war criminal.” Vice President Kamala Harris and Senate President Pro-Tempore Patty Murray (D-WA) have also declined to preside over the speech.
The speech comes as Netanyahu faces criticism over Israel’s ongoing military offensive operation in Gaza, which has left 1,200 people dead and over 250 taken hostage. Hamas terrorists launched a land, sea, and air invasion of Israel, prompting Israel to launch a military operation to destroy Hamas.
Anti-Israel protesters gathered in the rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building on Tuesday to demonstrate against Netanyahu’s speech, while others have expressed support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
