US House Speaker Johnson: Plans to invite Israeli Prime Minister to speak in Congress

　　China News Service, Washington, March 21 (Reporter Sha Hanting) Johnson, the Republican speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, said on the 21st local time that he planned to invite Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to give a speech in Congress.

　　In an interview with the US media CNBC that day, Johnson said that "of course" he would invite Netanyahu to speak in Congress. "It would be my honor" and "the time and other matters are currently being determined."

　　Senate Majority Leader Schumer, a Jewish Democrat, issued a statement that day, saying that the United States is an important ally of Israel and that the relationship between the two countries "goes beyond a certain president or a certain prime minister." Schumer said he would always welcome the Israeli Prime Minister to speak in the U.S. Congress.

　　On the 14th of this month, Schumer delivered a 40-minute speech in Congress, criticizing the Netanyahu government’s actions. Schumer believes that Netanyahu has "lost his way" and is too tolerant of the civilian casualties caused by Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, which is not conducive to regional peace. Schumer also called for new elections in Israel.

　　Schumer's remarks drew criticism from many Republican lawmakers including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. U.S. President Biden said that Schumer’s speech expressed the concerns of many Americans.

　　The US media believes that inviting Netanyahu to give a speech to the US Congress under the current situation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is "highly politicized." At present, the Republican Party's support for Netanyahu remains firm, while the radical wing of the Democratic Party is dissatisfied with the Netanyahu government's military operations in the Gaza Strip.

　　It is reported that Biden began to put pressure on the Netanyahu government in his recent speech. Biden recently said that Netanyahu needs to pay more attention to the civilian casualties caused by Israel's actions in Gaza. "I think what he is doing is hurting Israel, not helping Israel." (over)