Momentum grows behind Democratic boycott of Netanyahu speech

[mystery-ak]

 Momentum grows behind Democratic boycott of Netanyahu speech
by Mychael Schnell and Mike Lillis - 06/10/24 6:00 AM ET

A growing chorus of House Democrats say they’re planning to steer clear of next month’s speech by Benjamin Netanyahu before a joint meeting of Congress, arguing that the Israeli prime minister’s handling of the Hamas War — and his repeated snubbing of President Biden’s preferred approach to the conflict — demand a show of protest from liberals on Capitol Hill.

Some Democrats had foreshadowed the boycott earlier in the year amid speculation that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was poised to invite Netanyahu to the Capitol to push back against Democratic criticisms of the conservative Israeli leader. With the invitation now official, and the speech set for July 24, more and more progressive Democrats are emerging with a formal declaration of their own: We won’t be there.

“I won’t attend and turn my back towards him,” Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) said. “So I’m just gonna stay away.”

The bad blood between Netanyahu and liberals on Capitol Hill is hardly new. Progressive Democrats have long denounced Netanyahu’s conservative policies, including his sharp criticisms of the Iran nuclear deal under former President Obama, which led to a boycott of the prime minister’s last speech to Congress almost a decade ago. Those old hostilities are still lingering, even as Democrats have found new reason to revile Netanyahu over his military campaign in Gaza.

“He imported a little bit of controversy the last time he was here,” Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) said. “I thought it was disrespectful to the president, so I’m inclined not to attend.”

A boycott may not be the only way lawmakers showcase their opposition to Netanyahu when he visits Washington next month. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), a deputy whip for the Congressional Progressive Caucus who has served in the House since 1995, said conversations are underway about the best method for protesting the controversial speech.

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https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4710850-netanyahu-speech-boycott-democrats/

[catfish1957]

Go ahead dims......  do it. 

Polls still show the close to 65% are behind Israel's ability to defend.   Let them explain this come October.

[DefiantMassRINO]

Netanyahu won't miss the Dems.  Hopefully, Jewish donors will have the good sense to stop giving money to Dems and University woke incubators.

It's all fun n' games until the money stops.

[Maj. Bill Martin]

Go ahead dims......  do it. 

Polls still show the close to 65% are behind Israel's ability to defend.   Let them explain this come October.

Absolutely.   They're bucking a strong majority of the American people on both this and immigration.  The more prominence those issues get, the better.

[christian]

President shit his pants proved to the world that he could change America's image before the world at a world attentive event.  Like he promised last Presidential election.  Slick Willy, Obama, Biden, who but whores of hell could be so proud the accomplished so much, and Joe did it while shitting his pants!  What a universal hero, as so fanatically promised last PresidentiAL ELECTION, PROUD ENOUGH YET?

[PeteS in CA]

I would encourage Dems to let their inner antisemitism and their lack of the courage to tell the Arab Palis they are murderously wrong.

[Wingnut]

The Hamas wing of the Rat party will boycott.  I expect the no-shows to include, The Bartender fron the Bronx, Bush, Tlaib, Omar, Pressley, Payapal, Jeffries, Summer Lee, Fire Alarm Bowman, Al Green, Dewrag Raskin....