Democratic Representative Cori Bush has joined a growing boycott of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s upcoming speech. In a tweet on Friday, Bush criticized the Israeli government for enforcing what she called an apartheid state and abusing the rights of Palestinians. She argued that Congress should not give a platform to a leader who shows no respect for human rights.
Herzog is scheduled to visit the White House on July 18 and address Congress the following day to commemorate Israel’s 75th anniversary. He was invited by Congress leadership last year. However, Representative Ilhan Omar was the first member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) to announce her boycott of Herzog’s speech. She boldly stated on Twitter that there was no way she would attend.
Omar’s refusal to attend was quickly joined by fellow CPC members Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman. The CPC has been critical of Israel’s policies and has actively advocated for the rights of Palestinians on the House floor. In 2019, Israel denied entry to Omar and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, stating that they rejected Israel’s right to exist in the world.
The decision to snub Herzog’s speech has received criticism from both Republicans and some Democrats. Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy accused CPC members of anti-Semitism, while Democratic Representative Brad Schneider from Illinois stated that Omar was making the wrong choice.
Despite the boycott, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, expressed his anticipation for an “incredibly robust turnout” on July 19 and looked forward to welcoming Herzog with open arms. He argued that Herzog, as a figure interested in advancing human rights and peace, was someone worth listening to.
Relations between the United States and Israel have been less warm under President Joe Biden compared to his predecessor, Donald Trump, who strongly supported Israel. Last month, the US State Department expressed deep concern over Israel’s plan to approve over 4,000 settler housing units in the West Bank.
The growing boycott of Herzog’s speech highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding Israel’s policies and the Palestinian rights issue. Critics argue that giving a platform to a leader whose government is accused of human rights abuses and enforcing an apartheid state goes against the principles of justice and equality. On the other hand, supporters of the US-Israel relationship emphasize the importance of dialogue and engagement to foster understanding and cooperation between the two countries.
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