Durbin Statement Ahead Of Prime Minister Netanyahu's Joint Address To Congress

Durbin Statement Ahead Of Prime Minister Netanyahu's Joint Address To Congress

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Joint Address to Congress:

"I am committed to Israel and its right to defend its people.

"The Hamas attack on October 7 was unprovoked and cowardly, and its continued holding of hostages unconscionable. However, Israel's execution of its war in Gaza under the direction of Prime Minister Netanyahu with 39,000 Palestinians dead and 90,000 injured is a brutal strategy beyond any acceptable level of self-defense. And Netanyahu's refusal to consider any peace plan that gives both Israelis and Palestinians a guarantee of security is inconsistent with a peaceful conclusion to this age-old conflict.

"I will stand by Israel, but I will not stand and cheer its current Prime Minister at tomorrow's Joint Session."

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