Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to the United States yesterday upon invitations from leaders of both houses of Congress. It is said that Netanyahu, who does not step back from the Gaza occupation and continues the genocide in the region, visited the US, one of his country's greatest allies, to maintain bilateral ties.
Netanyahu's visit has sparked controversy in the U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is Jewish himself and considered one of Israel's staunchest allies in Congress, had called for Netanyahu's resignation and new elections in Israel back in March.
As some anti-war members of Congress announced they would not attend the session in protest of Netanyahu's speech, demonstrations against him also took place in the streets of the capital. Images circulating on social media show hundreds of protesters gathered in front of Netanyahu's hotel in Washington, where he arrived to address the U.S. Congress, to protest both him and Israel's attacks in Gaza.
Police were deployed outside the hotel as well. Some protesters waved Palestinian flags, and others projected lasers onto the building with messages like "Wanted: War criminal Netanyahu, arrest him."
The speech, expected to take place at 14:00 local time (21:00 GMT+3) in a joint session of Congress, has prompted extensive security measures around the Capitol building ahead of time. The police have closed off a large area including the southern garden of the building with iron barriers and fences. It has been announced that no visitors will be allowed into the Capitol building tomorrow.
With Washington already shaken by President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the upcoming presidential elections on November 5 and Vice President Kamala Harris announcing her candidacy in his place, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to address Congress tomorrow.
Senate President Kamala Harris announced that she will not preside over tomorrow's joint session due to her duties. It was reported that Harris will have a separate meeting with Netanyahu later.
It was also announced that U.S. President Biden, who tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently resting in his house in Delaware, will meet Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday.
Meanwhile, an influential Israeli group of former national security officials, academics, and businesspeople sent Congress leaders a letter that condemns Netanyahu for 'threatening the natural security of both Israel and the U.S.".
The letter was delivered this morning to House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The letter, which describes Netanyahu as an "existential threat", points out the fact that Netanyahu has been sued for bribery and fraud. It also accuses Netanyahu of acting selfish to keep his political position and being solely responsible for failing to defeat Hamas in the current Gaza conflict.
The letter goes on to claim that "Netanyahu's stance on this war, which adversely affects US' policies in the Middle East and beyond and further endangers Israel, is causing grave damage to the national security of the U.S.".
It claims that the Israeli President has "agitated the Israelis against one another for decades and harmed the social fabric of the nation" and that Netanyahu has "caused considerable harm to Israel's national defense capabilities, undermined the economy, and damaged its international reputation".
Retired Mossad intelligence service director Tamir Pardo, 5 former senior Mossad officials, 2 former senior Israeli commanders, former soldiers, and other security, diplomatic, legal and business figures are among the more than 30 names that signed the letter.
