Nancy Pelosi blasts ‘very sad’ Netanyahu invite to address Congress: ‘I think this is wrong’
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi argued Friday that it was a mistake for Congressional leaders to extend an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address lawmakers next month.
“I think this is wrong,” Pelosi (D-Calif.) told CNN of the 74-year-old Israeli leader’s expected address to a joint meeting of Congress on July 24.
“I feel it’s very sad that he has been invited,” the 84-year-old added.
Pelosi, who led House Democrats for two decades before stepping aside in January 2023, went on to say that she would “absolutely not” have invited Netanyahu had she still been in charge — noting that she opposed the last request for the Israeli head of government to address Congress, extended in 2015 by then-Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).
Among other objections, the former speaker questioned whether Netanyahu would still be in power by the time he is due to speak.
“Everything I read is that they’re unhappy about this or unhappy about that. Not just [Israeli minister without portfolio Benny Gantz], but other members of his cabinet,” said Pelosi, before suggesting that Netanyahu should resign over his conduct of the Jewish state’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“I wish that he would be a statesman and do what is right for Israel.”
The top four congressional leaders – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) – all signed off on an initial invite to Netanyahu last month.
“[T]he horrific attacks of October 7th shocked the world and forced your nation into a fight for its very existence,” read the formal quest. “We join the State of Israel in your struggle against terror, especially as Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens captive and its leaders jeopardize regional stability.”
“For this reason, on behalf of the bipartisan leadership of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, we would like to invite you to address a Joint Meeting of Congress.”
In March, Schumer slammed Netanyahu as an “obstacle” to peace in the Middle East and called for a “new election” in Israel to replace the prime minister as soon as practicable following the conclusion of the war.
“I have clear and profound disagreements with the Prime Minister, which I have voiced both privately and publicly and will continue to do so,” Schumer said in a statement Thursday. “But because America’s relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends one person or prime minister I joined the request for him to speak.”
“I respect his view,” Pelosi told CNN anchor Dana Bash of Schumer’s statement. “I don’t necessarily share it.”
Pelosi expressed fear that Netanyahu’s appearance on Capitol Hill would draw protesters and sow more “discontent” over Israel’s war against Hamas.
“I think it’s going to invite more of what we have seen, in terms of discontent among our own people about what’s happening there,” she said.
“I don’t think it’s a wise decision, but I respect other people to have their own view of it.”
Netanyahu’s July address will be his fourth to a joint meeting of Congress, more than any other foreign leader.
