Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress today, marking his first visit to Washington in nearly four years and his first trip abroad since the October 7th Hamas attacks in Israel. The attacks resulted in at least 1,200 deaths, including American citizens.
Victoria Coates, Vice President of the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at Heritage, issued a statement:
“Israel is America’s closest and most important ally in the Middle East. It is an honor to welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu and the state of Israel to the nation’s capital. I look forward to hearing his update on the Israel-Hamas war and, more importantly, on the broader threat from Iran, which targets both our countries."
Coates criticized the Biden administration's response following the October 7th attacks: “The U.S.-Israel alliance remains strong, but the Biden administration has weakened its support in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks. They have prioritized rewarding Hamas with promises of statehood and permitted antisemitic riots across American cities and campuses."
She also commented on Vice President Kamala Harris' decision not to attend: “It is unconscionable to see Vice President Kamala Harris shirk her duties as President of the Senate and boycott this historic event. If we can’t stand with Israel now, when can we?”
Robert Greenway, Director of Heritage's Allison Center for National Security added:
“The United States and Israel share a robust and longstanding relationship. Heritage welcomes Prime Minister Netanyahu to Washington and will continue to support Israel in these perilous times."
Greenway emphasized concerns about Iran: “Iran and its terrorist proxies look to eliminate the state of Israel, and the United States cannot turn a blind eye to the situation as we will be next in their crosshairs. Vice President Kamala Harris’ refusal to preside over the joint session of Congress further isolates our closest ally in the region. It encourages Israel’s enemies who also have American blood on their hands and our hostages in their custody. We must be better.”
