Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress next month was a mistake.
“I think this is wrong,” Pelosi (D-Calif.) told CNN regarding Netanyahu’s planned address to Congress on July 24.
“It’s very sad that he has been invited,” she added.
Pelosi said she would “absolutely not” have extended the invitation to Netanyahu if she were still leading House Democrats, a post she stepped down from in January of last year.
The California Democrat mentioned that she also opposed the 2015 invitation offered by then-Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).
Pelosi questioned whether Netanyahu would still be in charge of the country by the time he is scheduled to speak.
“Everything I read is that they’re unhappy about this or unhappy about that,” Pelosi noted. “Not just [Israeli minister without portfolio Benny Gantz], but other members of his cabinet.”
She believes that Netanyahu should step down over how he handled the country’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
“I wish that he would be a statesman and do what is right for Israel,” Pelosi added.
Her opinion is in direct conflict with the view of the four current 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)— who invited Netanyahu last month.
“The horrific attacks of October 7th shocked the world and forced your nation into a fight for its very existence,” the formal invitation read.
“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 a Thursday statement, Schumer pointed out that he has “clear and profound disagreements” with Netanyahu that he has been vocal about.
“But because America’s relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends one person or prime minister, I joined the request for him to speak,” he remarked.
“I respect his view,” Pelosi responded Schumer’s statement. “I don’t necessarily share it.”
Pelosi warned that Netanyahu’s appearance on Capitol Hill would attract protesters and heighten the “discontent” over Israel’s actions 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 cautioned.
“I don’t think it’s a wise decision, but I respect other people to have their own view of it.”
Meanwhile, Republicans are increasing pressure on Schumer to bring a House-passed bill to the Senate floor that would sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is contemplating issuing an arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
The House passed the measure on Tuesday, with 42 Democrats joining every Republican in favor. Senate Republicans are advocating for a vote in the upper chamber.
“Our members are very, very much wanting to go on offense on that,” Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) commented. “So yes, we’d love to get that taken up over here.”
Despite the bipartisan support the bill received in the House, it is likely to face a dead end in the Senate.
The measure, intended to be bipartisan, saw Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, collaborating with Democratic colleagues in both houses.
However, the White House’s objection to the proposed sanctions caused most Democrats to oppose it.
Republicans, on the other hand, have shown unwavering support for Netanyahu, pushing for him to address Congress and advocating for a floor vote on the ICC sanctions package.
“It’s the right place to be,” Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) remarked. “It’s the right position to have. I think it would send a strong message.”
The House bill, if enacted, would impose travel and financial sanctions on ICC officials and empower the president to lift these sanctions if the ICC halts investigations or arrest warrants against U.S. individuals or allies.
It’s a grave mistake to give this B#$@^ any air, or print exposure. She bears a generous share of blame for everything that is wrong in this country today. She can’t even keep her husband in line. she has no expertise at anything more than graft and corruption.
Wouldn’t take much to lose a pea sized mind like hers.
Piglosi did not lose her mind over anything. You cannot lose what you do not have.
CANT deal with Reality
Nancy “Eva Braun” Pelosi.
It would be more appropriate for Pelosi to resign her seat in Congress. Her behavior as speaker was reprehensible and irresponsible. It is apparent she is regressing and dementia is beginning to take hold. She has taken advantage of her position to enrich herself and that should also be considered as a good reason for ejection.