Bernie Sanders Condemns Congressional Invitation to Netanyahu, Calling Him a "War Criminal"

WASHINGTON — Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., openly criticized top leaders from both parties on Tuesday for welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Congress, condemning him as a “war criminal” amidst the ongoing conflict with Gaza.

In an interview with NBC News, Sanders rebuked House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., for inviting Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress in the coming weeks.

“What Mr. Johnson is going to have to explain to the American people is why he thinks it’s okay to invite somebody to a joint session who is responsible for the deaths of some 38,000 Palestinians at this point, 60% of whom are women and children, elderly people,” Sanders stated. (The U.N. cited a death toll of more than 36,000 Palestinians as of May 31.)

When reminded that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., as well as the minority leaders of both chambers, joined Johnson's invitation to Netanyahu, Sanders expressed strong disagreement with the decision.

Asked if he had communicated his disagreement to Schumer, Sanders dryly laughed, “I have made it very clear to anybody who would listen," he said.

Growing Concern Among Senate Democrats

Sanders’ comments come as a growing number of Senate Democrats express concern that Netanyahu’s address could exacerbate political divisions in Congress and heighten frustration with the Israeli military campaign. A date for Netanyahu’s speech has not yet been set.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., voiced his opposition to the invitation, stating he would not have invited Netanyahu without a commitment to a two-state solution. Durbin fears the address could mirror Netanyahu’s controversial 2015 speech, where he criticized the Obama administration’s policy towards Iran. “That’s exactly the fear I have is that it would be politically divisive, it would not help Israel,” Durbin told NBC News, emphasizing the need for clarity on the two-state solution.

Opposition and Support Among Senators

Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., also disagreed with inviting Netanyahu, with Welch undecided on whether he would attend the speech. Both senators previously voted against the aid bill for Israel and Ukraine, opposing the Israeli military operation.

Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, criticized Netanyahu’s leadership, stating, “If he’s gonna come here and make a political speech then I think he should stay home and try to negotiate a peace agreement.”

Conversely, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., plans to attend, stating, “I’m always willing to listen to foreign leaders, even those that I disagree with.” Murphy expressed skepticism about Netanyahu’s motives, suggesting his appearance might be aimed at bolstering his political standing in Israel rather than promoting peace or U.S.-Israel relations.

Sanders’ Boycott of the Speech

Sanders unequivocally stated he would not attend Netanyahu’s speech, though he noted he might listen to it on television. He emphasized that boycotting the speech is a statement about whether someone who has acted in such a horrific manner deserves the honor of addressing a joint session of Congress. “That is an honor,” Sanders remarked.

Historical Context and Broader Implications

Netanyahu’s potential address to Congress recalls his 2015 speech, which was controversial for its criticism of the Obama administration's Iran policy. The current invitation comes during a sensitive period, with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict generating significant international attention and criticism.

Netanyahu has long been a polarizing figure in global politics, and his actions during the ongoing conflict with Gaza have intensified scrutiny. Sanders and other lawmakers are voicing concerns about the message Congress sends by granting him such a prominent platform.

Conclusion

Sen. Bernie Sanders' strong condemnation of Netanyahu’s invitation to address Congress highlights deep divisions within the Democratic Party regarding U.S. policy towards Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As tensions rise, the invitation has sparked significant debate among lawmakers about the appropriateness and potential consequences of Netanyahu’s address. The outcome of this controversy could have lasting impacts on U.S.-Israel relations and the political dynamics within Congress.