Netanyahu overshadows Israeli president’s Congress speech amidst Democratic divide.

Israel’s President Delivers Address ⁣Before Congress, but Democrats Focused on ⁣Netanyahu

Isaac Herzog⁣ arrived in Washington this week, marking the 75th anniversary‍ of ⁣Israel’s founding. While his ​role ⁢as president​ is largely⁢ ceremonial, it is‌ Benjamin​ Netanyahu, the country’s​ prime minister, ‍who has​ been ⁣at the center of Democrats’⁢ attention.

Democrats are‍ furious ‌over⁤ the expansion of Israeli ‌settlements⁣ in the West Bank and⁣ Netanyahu’s plan to curb⁣ the ‍power of Israel’s judiciary.⁤ However, Herzog is viewed as ⁢a more palatable‍ choice‍ to Democrats, as ​he is⁢ more centrist in ​both approach and⁢ tone.

The visit​ provided an opportunity ‍for ⁣Democrats to show bipartisan support ⁤for Israel, despite concerns about‌ democratic ⁤backsliding.⁣ However, the ​trip⁣ has ‌become ‌overshadowed‍ by divisions over ‌Israel.

Democrats ​Divided Over Israel

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Rep.‍ Pramila Jayapal​ (D-WA), the top progressive in ⁣the ‌House, ⁢ignited ⁢controversy⁤ by calling Israel⁢ a ⁤”racist state.” Democratic⁤ leadership ​and a group of 43 House ⁢Democrats rebuked Jayapal’s ⁢statement, emphasizing that demonizing Israel is “dangerous and antisemitic.”

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A⁢ vote⁤ forced ‌by Republicans confirmed that nearly all Democrats do not ​consider​ Israel a “racist or apartheid state.”⁣ However,​ tensions within ​the ⁢Democratic Party ⁣over Israel have been underscored by this episode.

While⁢ Republicans increasingly offer unqualified ⁤support for ⁤Israel,‌ Democrats adhere to the U.S. policy of a two-state solution and express​ more sympathy⁣ for the Palestinians. They see Netanyahu as ‍an​ obstacle to Palestinian statehood ‌due to his nationalist policies and proposed judicial reforms.

House Democrats have voiced varying degrees of criticism towards the prime minister. Democratic leadership‌ diplomatically⁢ expressed disagreement with “individual members of the current ‌Israeli‍ governing coalition,” while ​Jayapal clarified that she believes ⁢the ⁢Israeli government is⁤ run by “extreme racists.”

The⁣ decision ​to invite Herzog, who attempted⁤ to​ steer Netanyahu ⁤towards a compromise on ​the judicial reforms, has not satisfied hard-line ‌members‌ of the​ Democratic conference.​ Some progressive members, including those in the⁣ “Squad,” plan​ to skip the address, citing human rights⁢ abuses.

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Conflict ⁣with Netanyahu: Personality⁢ and Policy

For mainstream Democrats, the‍ conflict with Netanyahu is ​primarily⁣ a matter of personality and policy. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), a strong supporter of‍ Israel, ⁢called Herzog a‌ “really great person” and⁣ criticized the ‌Squad ⁣for skipping ⁣the​ address.​ However, Pelosi expressed‍ disdain for Netanyahu,‌ stating that she wouldn’t ​feel the same ‌way about the prime‍ minister.

The tensions between Democrats and​ Netanyahu ⁣are ⁣not new and predate the judicial​ reforms. Netanyahu clashed​ with President Barack Obama over the Iran​ nuclear deal,⁣ leading ‌to⁣ several Democrats skipping ⁣his speech before Congress in 2015.

President Joe Biden’s‌ relationship with ​Netanyahu remains cool. Biden‌ has criticized‌ the prime minister’s Cabinet as⁣ extreme, and‍ their meeting was only confirmed on Monday. ⁤It is uncertain whether Netanyahu will‍ be invited to the‌ White⁣ House during‌ his upcoming‌ visit to the United States.

The Biden administration has ‍urged⁣ Netanyahu to compromise ⁣on his proposed judicial ⁢reforms, emphasizing​ their shared democratic principles. However, ⁢Democrats have been cautious‍ about⁢ pushing too hard publicly. ​House leaders aim to ⁢demonstrate‍ their continued ​support for ⁣Israel, despite a ⁤small but vocal ‌group of lawmakers who are highly critical.

On Tuesday, only nine ​members⁢ voted against a⁣ resolution reaffirming ⁤support for Israel, and Rep. Pete ⁢Aguilar (CA) predicted strong attendance‍ from‍ colleagues for Wednesday’s address.

“There’s ‌unity⁣ in the Democratic caucus,” Aguilar stated.‌ “I think you’ll see that ⁣with strong attendance from our colleagues on ⁤the ‍House ⁣floor to see the⁢ president of Israel address us.”

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