Netanyahu addresses the US Congress in an effort to bolster support for Israel's war

2024-07-24 15:39:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Netanyahu addresses the US Congress in an effort to bolster support for

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech to the US Congress on Wednesday, during which he will try to bolster support for Israel's war against Hamas.

Mr Netanyahu's visit comes amid pressure on his country to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as well as political uncertainty in the United States, Israel's main ally, ahead of November's presidential election.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar have been trying for months to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that would see a pause in fighting, the release of hostages and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.

But efforts have so far been fruitless, as fighting continues in Gaza and the threat of a wider regional conflict remains looming. The area along the Israel-Lebanon border is tense and Yemen's Houthi militants continue to attack ships in the Red Sea.

Mr. Netanyahu has said that he will seek bipartisan support for Israel. His visit to Washington has become one more reason for controversy between Democrats and Republicans. A number of Democrats say they will boycott Mr. Netanyahu's speech.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to speak, criticized Vice President Kamala Harris' absence from the hearing as "inexcusable."

Ms. Harris is traveling on the campaign trail, days after President Joe Biden announced he was withdrawing from the race. Republican Senator JD Vance, the Republican candidate for vice president, will not be present at the hearing either.

Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders said he would not attend the speech and criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu's policies in the West Bank and Gaza. Democratic Senator Dick Durban said that although he stands by Israel, "I'm not going to stand up and applaud its current prime minister."

Critics have faulted Mr Netanyahu's government for the way it is running the war in Gaza, arguing in particular that Israel has not done enough to protect Palestinian civilians or ensure the flow of humanitarian aid.

Israel has dismissed the criticism and blamed Hamas militants, saying they operate in areas that put civilians at risk.

Mr. Netanyahu's speech on Wednesday in Washington is expected to be accompanied by numerous protests, after similar protests on Tuesday in the House of Representatives and in front of the hotel where Prime Minister Netanyahu is staying.

On Tuesday, a demonstration was held in downtown Washington, where the families of some of the hostages still being held in Gaza demanded that Prime Minister Netanyahu accept a cease-fire agreement that would bring about their release.

The war began with a Hamas attack on Israel in early October that killed 1,200 people. Israel responded with a campaign of ground and air strikes that have killed more than 39,000 people, according to Gaza's health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas and does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.