Boehner To Invite Bibi To Address Joint Session of Congress
Rep. John Boehner, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, said he plans to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of Congress.
“It will be a great honor for Congress to welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu next month as part of his official visit to the United States,” Boehner (R-Ohio) said in a statement. “America and Israel are the closest of friends and allies, and we look forward to hearing the prime minister’s views on how we can continue working together for peace, freedom, and stability.”
Boehner said the visit would be timed for May, when Netanyahu is expected to visit Washington to speak to the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference.
The Prime Minister’s Office has hinted that Netanyahu will unveil at that time a new peace proposal aimed at drawing the Palestinian Authority back into direct talks, which it abandoned in September because of Netanyahu’s refusal to extend a partial freeze on settlement building.
Boehner must submit his request to the House and U.S. Senate for approval.
Netanyahu addressed Congress once before, in 1996. Other Israeli prime ministers who have addressed Congress include the late Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres and Ehud Olmert.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
