WASHINGTON—Today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress. This marks the Prime Minister’s first visit to Washington in nearly four years and his first trip abroad since the heinous October 7th Hamas attacks in Israel, during which at least 1,200 individuals were brutally massacred including American citizens.   

Heritage’s Vice President of the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy Victoria Coates made the following statement:  

“Israel is America’s closest and most important ally in the Middle East. It is an honor to welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu and the state of Israel to the nation’s capital. I look forward to hearing his update on the Israel-Hamas war and, more importantly, on the broader threat from Iran, which targets both our countries.

“The U.S.-Israel alliance remains strong, but the Biden administration has weakened its support in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks. They have prioritized rewarding Hamas with promises of statehood and permitted the antisemitic riots across American cities and campuses. 

“It is unconscionable to see Vice President Kamala Harris shirk her duties as President of the Senate and boycott this historic event. If we can’t stand with Israel now, when can we?”  

Heritage’s Director of the Allison Center for National Security Robert Greenway added:  

“The United States and Israel share a robust and longstanding relationship. Heritage welcomes Prime Minister Netanyahu to Washington and will continue to support Israel in these perilous times. 

“Iran and its terrorist proxies look to eliminate the state of Israel, and the United States cannot turn a blind eye to the situation as we will be the next in their crosshairs. Vice President Kamala Harris’ refusal to preside over the joint session of Congress further isolates our closest ally in the region. It encourages Israel’s enemies who also have American blood on their hands and our hostages in their custody. We must be better.”