Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address to Joint Session of Congress

"I am not able to attend the address to Congress today by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu due to an unfortunate case of COVID-19. I had planned to attend today's speech by the leader of one of America's oldest allies, because I believe Members of Congress have a responsibility to represent their constituents during any joint session, and out of respect for the long and close relationship between our two countries. However, that does not mean I agree with every policy that Prime Minister Netanyahu has enacted or proposed - to be clear, I do not. For the last several years, I and other pro-Israel Americans have watched with deep concern as the Prime Minister's far-right government has not only proposed changes to the Israeli judicial system that would reduce its independence and erode Israel's democracy, but also allowed the worst terrorist attack in Israeli history, followed by a currently unsuccessful campaign to safely return hostages and destroy Hamas.

"Today, I hope the Prime Minister speaks of his plans to reach an agreement that will free the remaining 120 hostages, including eight Americans, who were attacked and kidnapped on October 7th and end the war in Gaza as soon as possible. I applaud President Biden's statements two weeks ago after the NATO Summit that the war should end now, and I believe the President has laid out a comprehensive plan to achieve that critical goal. Innocent civilians in Gaza remain in dire need of humanitarian aid, which can only be adequately and safely distributed with an end to the fighting.

"Additionally, it is imperative that Prime Minister Netanyahu lay out a legitimate plan for 'the day after' the fighting ends, one which does not return to the status-quo before October 7th. A plan which breaks the cycle of violence and includes a path for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank to pursue self-determination and the ability to govern their own state. Without such a plan, I fear the cycle of violence will only continue and Israel's standing around the world will further diminish."

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Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.