Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) announced Sunday that he will not attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress next month, citing his disinterest in a “one-way lecture.”
“I will not attend,” Khanna stated on Meet the Press. “If he wants to discuss ending the war and releasing hostages, I’d be open to that, but I’m not interested in a one-sided speech.”
Khanna joins several Democratic colleagues in protesting Netanyahu’s address, which was scheduled for July 24 by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) criticized Netanyahu’s visit, asserting he “shouldn’t be here” and recently labeling him a “war criminal.”
Netanyahu’s speech comes at a pivotal moment as he awaits a response from Hamas to a proposed ceasefire. The proposal aims to temporarily halt Israel’s offensive in Gaza, initiated nine months ago after a surprise Hamas attack in October.
Israel’s robust counterattack, which has devastated parts of Gaza and resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths, has received both strong support and severe criticism.
Congressional Republicans have mostly supported Israel, while Democrats are divided on the issue.
Netanyahu’s upcoming address will be his first to Congress since 2015, when many Democrats boycotted his speech due to strained relations with former President Barack Obama.
Khanna expressed solidarity with Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), who also plans to skip Netanyahu’s address, citing the Israel-Hamas war and past tensions with Obama.
“I agree with Rep. Clyburn. Given how he treated President Obama, he shouldn’t expect reciprocity. However, there should be politeness and decorum since he’s addressing Congress,” Khanna remarked.
