Rep. Lofgren: “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Address to Congress Became Political Instead of Productive”

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) released the following statement on why she did not attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address:

"Like in 2015, I chose not to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech today because his invitation to address Congress became political instead of productive. Instead, earlier today, I attended a conversation forum with families of Israeli hostages hosted by Representatives Clyburn, McGovern, DeLauro, Raskin, and Takano. Hearing from and showing my support for the families suffering in the wake of the October 7th Hamas terrorist attack was constructive, albeit upsetting.

"I believe the political speech stunt today may also send the wrong message to Americans, as Prime Minister Netanyahu's repeated objections to a two-state solution flies in the face of our country's diplomacy-based desires for the region.

"As an elected leader, I will always listen to what heads of state of key U.S. allies, like Israel, have to say, so I watched the speech on TV in my Congressional office."

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