Herzog’s Congress address set for next month, Netanyahu awaits invitation.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Deliver Joint Address to Congress

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to deliver a joint address to Congress on July 19, according to an announcement from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s office. This visit to the United States marks the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Israel’s founding and will include a meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House.

Herzog’s upcoming address comes after McCarthy addressed the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in April to honor Israel’s achievements. The invitation for Herzog to speak before a joint session was extended in October during his previous U.S. trip, and it has now been scheduled for this week.

Herzog’s Second Trip Amidst Netanyahu’s Wait

This will be Herzog’s second visit to the U.S. in a year, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to wait for an invitation from the White House and Congress since reclaiming his leadership role in late December. As prime minister, Netanyahu holds significant power over domestic and foreign policy, while Herzog’s role as president is largely symbolic.

President Biden has cited Netanyahu’s efforts to overhaul the Israeli judicial system as a reason for not extending a White House visit in the future. However, a National Security Council spokesperson stated that Biden plans to invite the prime minister before the end of the year, without providing further details.

During a video address at the Israeli Embassy’s Independence Day party, Herzog expressed his excitement for the upcoming trip, stating, “I’m looking forward to visiting the United States of America in the near future, to addressing a joint meeting of Congress, visiting my good friends at the White House, and meeting so many other good friends.”

Herzog will be following in the footsteps of his father, former Israeli President Chaim Herzog, who addressed a joint session of Congress in 1987. Netanyahu has also spoken before Congress on three occasions as prime minister, including a notable speech in 2015 criticizing the Iran nuclear deal.

Focus on Strengthening U.S.-Israel Relationship

Similar to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent address, Herzog’s joint address is expected to focus on solidifying the relationship between Israel and the United States. However, like Modi, Herzog’s speech is likely to face boycotts from some congressional Democrats who oppose giving a prominent Israeli figure such a significant platform.

While the majority of House and Senate Democrats are pro-Israel, progressive lawmakers such as “Squad” members Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib have emerged as vocal critics of the Jewish state. These lawmakers boycotted Modi’s joint address due to human rights concerns and have faced accusations of being hostile toward Israel in the past.

Tlaib and Ocasio-Cortez made headlines last May when they introduced a controversial resolution in the House of Representatives that referred to Palestinians as the “indigenous inhabitants” of Israel, without acknowledging Jewish history in the region.

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