Prominent Figures Call for Cancellation of Netanyahu's US Congress Speech
A group of influential Israeli intellectuals and public figures, including former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and author David Grossman, have called on the American Congress to cancel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming speech. In an opinion piece published in the New York Times, they argue that Netanyahu's appearance in Washington will not represent Israel and its citizens and will only encourage his 'scandalous and destructive behavior.'
The authors of the column include former Mossad head Tamir Pardo, Professor David Harel, attorney Talia Sasson, Nobel laureate Aharon Chachanover, Ehud Barak, and David Grossman. They assert that Netanyahu is leading Israel into a decline at an alarming rate and that his government has failed to resolve critical issues such as the war in Gaza and the return of abductees.
Criticism of Netanyahu's Policies and US-Israel Relations
The opinion piece criticizes Netanyahu's handling of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and his promotion of legal reforms despite the crisis. The authors argue that Congress should have conditioned Netanyahu's invitation on presenting a viable solution to end the war and secure the release of hostages. They claim that inviting Netanyahu will reward his disregard for US efforts to establish a peace plan and reduce harm to human life.
The article also highlights the internal issues within Israel, such as police violence against demonstrators, the dominance of far-right politicians, and the delay in appointing judges. The authors express concern over the transfer of budgets to ultra-Orthodox parties and the lack of accountability for the events of October 7. They emphasize that a large part of the Israeli population has lost faith in Netanyahu's government, which is clinging to power with a narrow parliamentary majority.
- The opinion piece published in the New York Times has sparked significant debate within both Israeli and American political circles. The authors argue that Netanyahu's appearance in Congress will undermine US efforts to establish a peace plan and may exacerbate the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
- The authors also criticize Netanyahu for not taking responsibility for his role in the events of October 7 and for failing to announce the establishment of a state investigative committee. They highlight the influence of far-right politicians like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in Netanyahu's government, which they believe is detrimental to Israel's democracy and security.
- The article calls for immediate elections in Israel, reflecting the sentiment of many Israelis who have participated in national demonstrations demanding an end to the war and the release of abductees. The authors urge American lawmakers to reconsider Netanyahu's invitation, arguing that his appearance in Congress will only serve to legitimize his controversial policies and actions.
