By James Reynolds

Published: 14:55 BST, 19 July 2024 | Updated: 14:55 BST, 19 July 2024

Advertisement

House Speaker Mike Johnson has threatened to arrest any lawmakers who disrupt Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress next week amid fears could 'get out of hand'. 'There are a number of Democrats in the House who have said they're going to boycott that event. Some others may protest,' Johnson told an event organized by the Republican Jewish Coalition near the ongoing Republican National Convention. 'We're going to have extra sergeants at arms on the floor. If anybody gets out of hand¿ We're going to arrest people if we have to do it,' he said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has threatened to arrest any lawmakers who disrupt Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress next week amid fears could ‘get out of hand’. ‘There are a number of Democrats in the House who have said they’re going to boycott that event. Some others may protest,’ Johnson told an event organized by the Republican Jewish Coalition near the ongoing Republican National Convention. ‘We’re going to have extra sergeants at arms on the floor. If anybody gets out of hand… We’re going to arrest people if we have to do it,’ he said.

Netanyahu is set to address lawmakers on July 24, his first address to US Congress since 2015, when 58 boycotted him over concerns about his opposition to then-President Barack Obama 's nuclear deal with Iran . But with the war in Gaza still ongoing and felt by many communities in the United States, more than 200 anonymous staff members across 122 Democratic and Republican congressional offices have signed a letter calling for Congress to protest or boycott the event on Capitol Hill. 'Citizens, students, and lawmakers across the country and the world have spoken out against the actions of Mr. Netanyahu in his War on Gaza,' reads a letter signed by the 230 House and Senate staffers.

Netanyahu is set to address lawmakers on July 24, his first address to US Congress since 2015, when 58 boycotted him over concerns about his opposition to then-President Barack Obama 's nuclear deal with Iran . But with the war in Gaza still ongoing and felt by many communities in the United States, more than 200 anonymous staff members across 122 Democratic and Republican congressional offices have signed a letter calling for Congress to protest or boycott the event on Capitol Hill. 'Citizens, students, and lawmakers across the country and the world have spoken out against the actions of Mr. Netanyahu in his War on Gaza,' reads a letter signed by the 230 House and Senate staffers.

Netanyahu is set to address lawmakers on July 24, his first address to US Congress since 2015, when 58 boycotted him over concerns about his opposition to then-President Barack Obama ‘s nuclear deal with Iran . But with the war in Gaza still ongoing and felt by many communities in the United States, more than 200 anonymous staff members across 122 Democratic and Republican congressional offices have signed a letter calling for Congress to protest or boycott the event on Capitol Hill. ‘Citizens, students, and lawmakers across the country and the world have spoken out against the actions of Mr. Netanyahu in his War on Gaza,’ reads a letter signed by the 230 House and Senate staffers.

It added that the joint address was an 'issue of morality', not politics, citing the ongoing protests against Israel's conduct in Gaza as Israelis 'have been protesting in the streets for months, decrying his failure to negotiate a ceasefire and release of hostages'. 'Mr. Netanyahu has ordered the bombings of schools, hospitals, and mosques; overseen a campaign of mass-starvation against Palestinian children; and censored efforts by the media to cover the Israeli military's actions on the ground,' the letter says, noting that the address is scheduled to go ahead in spite of the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court's request for an arrest warrant. Netanyahu said previously he expected the arrest warrants could be submitted before his July 24 address.

It added that the joint address was an 'issue of morality', not politics, citing the ongoing protests against Israel's conduct in Gaza as Israelis 'have been protesting in the streets for months, decrying his failure to negotiate a ceasefire and release of hostages'. 'Mr. Netanyahu has ordered the bombings of schools, hospitals, and mosques; overseen a campaign of mass-starvation against Palestinian children; and censored efforts by the media to cover the Israeli military's actions on the ground,' the letter says, noting that the address is scheduled to go ahead in spite of the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court's request for an arrest warrant. Netanyahu said previously he expected the arrest warrants could be submitted before his July 24 address.

It added that the joint address was an ‘issue of morality’, not politics, citing the ongoing protests against Israel’s conduct in Gaza as Israelis ‘have been protesting in the streets for months, decrying his failure to negotiate a ceasefire and release of hostages’. ‘Mr. Netanyahu has ordered the bombings of schools, hospitals, and mosques; overseen a campaign of mass-starvation against Palestinian children; and censored efforts by the media to cover the Israeli military’s actions on the ground,’ the letter says, noting that the address is scheduled to go ahead in spite of the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court’s request for an arrest warrant. Netanyahu said previously he expected the arrest warrants could be submitted before his July 24 address.

If such a warrant were to be granted, the 124 countries signatory to the ICC would be obligated to act on it, meaning Netanyahu - and defense minister Yoav Gallant - could be arrested on a foreign visit. While many Democrats have historically held long-standing support for Israel, some have been torn over its conduct in the Gaza Strip. More than 38,600 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since Hamas' October 7 incursion into southern Israel, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count.

If such a warrant were to be granted, the 124 countries signatory to the ICC would be obligated to act on it, meaning Netanyahu - and defense minister Yoav Gallant - could be arrested on a foreign visit. While many Democrats have historically held long-standing support for Israel, some have been torn over its conduct in the Gaza Strip. More than 38,600 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since Hamas' October 7 incursion into southern Israel, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count.

If such a warrant were to be granted, the 124 countries signatory to the ICC would be obligated to act on it, meaning Netanyahu – and defense minister Yoav Gallant – could be arrested on a foreign visit. While many Democrats have historically held long-standing support for Israel, some have been torn over its conduct in the Gaza Strip. More than 38,600 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since Hamas’ October 7 incursion into southern Israel, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count.

A growing faction of Democrats is now saying it will not attend the event usually welcome by a large bipartisan showing later this month. Netanyahu was invited by Mike Johnson after a consultation with the White House, according to a person familiar with the matter speaking under condition of anonymity, AP reported. The Israeli premier said at the time he was 'very moved' by the invitation and opportunity to 'present the truth about our just war against those who seek to destroy us to the representatives of the American people and the entire world'.

A growing faction of Democrats is now saying it will not attend the event usually welcome by a large bipartisan showing later this month. Netanyahu was invited by Mike Johnson after a consultation with the White House, according to a person familiar with the matter speaking under condition of anonymity, AP reported. The Israeli premier said at the time he was 'very moved' by the invitation and opportunity to 'present the truth about our just war against those who seek to destroy us to the representatives of the American people and the entire world'.

A growing faction of Democrats is now saying it will not attend the event usually welcome by a large bipartisan showing later this month. Netanyahu was invited by Mike Johnson after a consultation with the White House, according to a person familiar with the matter speaking under condition of anonymity, AP reported. The Israeli premier said at the time he was ‘very moved’ by the invitation and opportunity to ‘present the truth about our just war against those who seek to destroy us to the representatives of the American people and the entire world’.

Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said previously it would be 'healthy' for members of both parties to attend. 'I think that a lot of Americans are getting a one-sided narrative, especially the younger generation, and I think it's important they hear from the prime minister of Israel, in terms of his perspective,' said McCaul, R-Texas. Others disagree. Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who attended the 2015 address as a House member, said he saw no reason why Congress 'should extend a political lifeline' to Netanyahu.

Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said previously it would be 'healthy' for members of both parties to attend. 'I think that a lot of Americans are getting a one-sided narrative, especially the younger generation, and I think it's important they hear from the prime minister of Israel, in terms of his perspective,' said McCaul, R-Texas. Others disagree. Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who attended the 2015 address as a House member, said he saw no reason why Congress 'should extend a political lifeline' to Netanyahu.

Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said previously it would be ‘healthy’ for members of both parties to attend. ‘I think that a lot of Americans are getting a one-sided narrative, especially the younger generation, and I think it’s important they hear from the prime minister of Israel, in terms of his perspective,’ said McCaul, R-Texas. Others disagree. Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who attended the 2015 address as a House member, said he saw no reason why Congress ‘should extend a political lifeline’ to Netanyahu.

Israel faces increasing criticism at home and abroad over its conduct in Gaza. Regular protests have mounted in Tel Aviv, often led by the families and supporters of hostages still in Gaza, calling for Netanyahu to stand down. Of the 251 hostages taken into Gaza on October 7, 42 have died, according to the Israeli military. With the exception of a raid in June delivering four to safety, the most successful operation to return captives took place in November during a week-long ceasefire. And with many internationally moved by scenes of destruction and impending famine in Gaza, the United States has been critical of Israel's retaliatory offensive, denouncing the killing of civilians ostensibly in pursuit of two main war aims: returning the remaining hostages snatched from southern Israel on October 7 and vanquishing Hamas for good.

Israel faces increasing criticism at home and abroad over its conduct in Gaza. Regular protests have mounted in Tel Aviv, often led by the families and supporters of hostages still in Gaza, calling for Netanyahu to stand down. Of the 251 hostages taken into Gaza on October 7, 42 have died, according to the Israeli military. With the exception of a raid in June delivering four to safety, the most successful operation to return captives took place in November during a week-long ceasefire. And with many internationally moved by scenes of destruction and impending famine in Gaza, the United States has been critical of Israel's retaliatory offensive, denouncing the killing of civilians ostensibly in pursuit of two main war aims: returning the remaining hostages snatched from southern Israel on October 7 and vanquishing Hamas for good.

Israel faces increasing criticism at home and abroad over its conduct in Gaza. Regular protests have mounted in Tel Aviv, often led by the families and supporters of hostages still in Gaza, calling for Netanyahu to stand down. Of the 251 hostages taken into Gaza on October 7, 42 have died, according to the Israeli military. With the exception of a raid in June delivering four to safety, the most successful operation to return captives took place in November during a week-long ceasefire. And with many internationally moved by scenes of destruction and impending famine in Gaza, the United States has been critical of Israel’s retaliatory offensive, denouncing the killing of civilians ostensibly in pursuit of two main war aims: returning the remaining hostages snatched from southern Israel on October 7 and vanquishing Hamas for good.

'We continue to see far too many civilians killed in this conflict,' spokesman Matthew Miller said after Blinken met Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi. Netanyahu and Gallant also clashed over the medical treatment of children in Gaza on Thursday after the Prime Minster shut down Gallant's plans to establish a field hospital in the Palestinian enclave. Gallant announced Wednesday that a hospital would be set up by the IDF in Israel near the border with Gaza due to the closure of the southern Rafah Crossing into Egypt, previously relied on for medical treatment.

'We continue to see far too many civilians killed in this conflict,' spokesman Matthew Miller said after Blinken met Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi. Netanyahu and Gallant also clashed over the medical treatment of children in Gaza on Thursday after the Prime Minster shut down Gallant's plans to establish a field hospital in the Palestinian enclave. Gallant announced Wednesday that a hospital would be set up by the IDF in Israel near the border with Gaza due to the closure of the southern Rafah Crossing into Egypt, previously relied on for medical treatment.

‘We continue to see far too many civilians killed in this conflict,’ spokesman Matthew Miller said after Blinken met Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi. Netanyahu and Gallant also clashed over the medical treatment of children in Gaza on Thursday after the Prime Minster shut down Gallant’s plans to establish a field hospital in the Palestinian enclave. Gallant announced Wednesday that a hospital would be set up by the IDF in Israel near the border with Gaza due to the closure of the southern Rafah Crossing into Egypt, previously relied on for medical treatment.

Egypt has since stopped all movement across the border in what it says is an act of protest over Israel's takeover of the area. Much humanitarian aid has until now also travelled north over the border into Gaza from Egypt. A day later, Netanyahu's office announced the hospital 'will not be established', prompting the Defense Minister to say : 'The prime minister is keeping a hospital for injured children from being opened up for political reasons.' The Prime Minister declined to respond to Gallant's accusation, The Times of Israel reported.

Egypt has since stopped all movement across the border in what it says is an act of protest over Israel's takeover of the area. Much humanitarian aid has until now also travelled north over the border into Gaza from Egypt. A day later, Netanyahu's office announced the hospital 'will not be established', prompting the Defense Minister to say : 'The prime minister is keeping a hospital for injured children from being opened up for political reasons.' The Prime Minister declined to respond to Gallant's accusation, The Times of Israel reported.

Egypt has since stopped all movement across the border in what it says is an act of protest over Israel’s takeover of the area. Much humanitarian aid has until now also travelled north over the border into Gaza from Egypt. A day later, Netanyahu’s office announced the hospital ‘will not be established’, prompting the Defense Minister to say : ‘The prime minister is keeping a hospital for injured children from being opened up for political reasons.’ The Prime Minister declined to respond to Gallant’s accusation, The Times of Israel reported.

Want more stories like this from the Daily Mail? Visit our profile page and hit the follow button above for more of the news you need.

Want more stories like this from the Daily Mail? Visit our profile page and hit the follow button above for more of the news you need.

Want more stories like this from the Daily Mail? Visit our profile page and hit the follow button above for more of the news you need.

:
Johnson threatens to arrest lawmakers who disrupt Netanyahu’s speech



***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk