Netanyahu to address both chambers of Congress on July 24

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be speaking to both chambers of Congress on July 24.

The date selection comes after four Congressional leaders recommended the Israeli leader speak to Congress on June 13, but the date was rejected by Netanyahu because it overlapped with a Jewish holiday. The new date means the address will occur before Congress breaks for its August recess. The speech will be Netanyahu's first address to Congress since 2015.

"I am pleased to announce with @LeaderMcConnell that Israeli PM Netanyahu will address a joint meeting of Congress on July 24th,"  Johnson posted to X. "We look forward to hearing the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combatting terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region."

Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries invited Netanyahu to give the address last month. He accepted the invitation on Monday, but some liberal lawmakers are expected to boycott the speech, including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, over criticism of Netanyahu's handling of Israel's war with Hamas.

Other Democratic leadership have expressed discontent with the invitation. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin has not stated whether he will attend Netanyahu's speech, but said he would not have extended the invitation until the Israeli committed to a two-state solution to the war. Democrats have been particularly critical of the war's high civilian death count.

It is not clear whether Netanyahu would visit President Joe Biden in the White House during his trip to Washington D.C., and the president has not extended a public invitation to the prime minister so far. 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.