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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu billed to address a joint session of Parliament on 24 July, Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Parliamentary leaders confirmed the date of the address late Thursday after formally inviting Netanyahu to speak before lawmakers the previous week.
This was contained in a letter signed by the House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Conservative, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Labour member, along with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.
According to the letter, "The existential challenges we face, including the growing partnership between Iran, Russia, and China, threaten the security, peace, and prosperity of our countries and of free people around the world.
“The address is to build on our enduring relationship and to highlight Britain’s solidarity with Israel, we invite you to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combating terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region.”
Netanyahu’s appearance before a deeply divided Parliament was certain to be controversial and met with numerous protests both inside the Palace of Westminster from lawmakers and outside by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the UK — who delivered a scathing critique of Netanyahu in March — said in a separate statement Thursday night that he had “clear and profound disagreements” with the Israeli leader but joined in the request for him to speak “because Britain’s relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends one person or prime minister.”
Other Labour lawmakers more critical of Netanyahu’s strategy were expected to be no-shows for the address. Senator Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont, said: “Netanyahu is a war criminal. I certainly will not attend.”
“I am very moved to have the privilege of representing Israel before both Houses of Parliament and to present the truth about our just war against those who seek to destroy us to the representatives of the British people and the entire world,” Netanyahu said, according to the release.
