Opinion Today: Why these prominent Israelis are against Netanyahu’s speech to Congress

A group of notable writers claim the prime minister doesn't speak for them.

View in browser|nytimes.com June 26, 2024 SUPPORTED BY AMERICA MAGAZINE By Daniel J. Wakin Deputy Editor, International Opinion Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is no stranger to stirring up trouble in the U.S. Congress. When he addressed a joint meeting of the House and the Senate in 2015, some 58 Democrats stayed away — including Joe Biden, who was then vice president. They were angry that Netanyahu sought to undermine the Obama administration's effort to strike a deal with Iran over its nuclear program. Expect even more opposition when Netanyahu makes a return engagement on July 24. Democrats are deeply split over support for him; a large contingent is angry over the humanitarian disaster and the enormous number of civilian casualties caused by Israel's war in Gaza in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. Opposition is also coming from within Israel itself. In a guest essay for Times Opinion, six prominent Israelis call on Congress to disinvite Netanyahu. The writers are a top jurist, a Nobel winner, a former prime minister, a former head of the Mossad, a major author and the leader of the nation's Academy of Sciences and Humanities. They contend that Netanyahu is moving Israel in the wrong direction, has failed to end the war and bring home the hostages and is not heeding the Biden administration's wishes. Rarely do we publish guest essays with so many bylines, but in this case the accomplishments, influence and prominence in Israel of these six people lend weight to their argument that Netanyahu is not worthy of an invitation to speak to Congress. Their coming together to write this essay demonstrates the depth of opposition to Netanyahu in significant quarters of Israeli society. The congressional leaders who invited Netanyahu to speak obviously took a different view. "We invite you to share the Israeli government's vision for defending democracy, combating terror and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region," their invitation read. Read the guest essay: Tierney L. Cross for The New York Times Guest Essay Netanyahu Does Not Speak for Us. Congress Should Disinvite Him. We believe the prime minister is driving Israel downhill at an alarming speed, to the extent that we may eventually lose the country we love. By David Harel, Tamir Pardo, Talia Sasson, Ehud Barak, Aaron Ciechanover and David Grossman More on Netanyahu's visit: Pool photo by Abir Sultan Thomas L. Friedman American Leaders Should Stop Debasing Themselves on Israel You have to wonder if American "friends" of Israel have any clue about the nature of Israel's government. By Thomas L. Friedman A MESSAGE FROM AMERICA MAGAZINE Get a smart, Catholic take on the world How does Joe Biden's Catholic faith influence his politics? How is Pope Francis changing the Catholic Church? Get a Jesuit perspective from America magazine. For over 100 years, America magazine has been the go-to source of spiritual and intellectual exploration for American Catholics. With theological essays, political analysis, book reviews and more, America is a must-have resource for thinking Catholics. Subscribe now to start seeing the world through a well-informed Catholic lens. Subscribe for $1 Here's what we're focusing on today: Editors' Picks The World Turns Its Eyes From the Suffering in Sudan What happened to the money — and the attention — pledged by the international community? By Farah Stockman More From Opinion Ross Douthat, David French, Michelle Goldberg and Bret Stephens Which V.P. Pick Will Help Trump Win? Four Columnists Rate the Field. We take a look at J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, Doug Burgum, Tim Scott, Elise Stefanik and more possible Republican running mates. 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