California Democrat to Skip Netanyahu’s Congressional Speech
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) expressed to NBC’s Peter Alexander that he will not attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming congressional address. In a discussion on “Meet the Press,” Khanna criticized Netanyahu for his treatment of former President Barack Obama, indicating that Netanyahu should not expect favorable reciprocation. This portrayal of Rep. Ro Khanna’s decision reflects the complex interplay of diplomacy, party politics, and international relations involved in decisions made by U.S. politicians regarding foreign leaders. Khanna’s choice to not attend Netanyahu’s speech can be interpreted through several lenses:
1. **Personal and Political Values**: Khanna’s stance might reflect his own values and those of his constituents. By explicitly mentioning Netanyahu’s relationship with former President Obama, Khella indicates his disapproval of Netanyahu’s previous actions, which may have felt disrespectful or uncooperative to Democratic leadership during Obama’s tenure.
2. **Domestic Political Considerations**: The decision can also be viewed as a part of broader political strategies where members of the Democratic Party might seek to differentiate themselves from Republicans in terms of foreign policy approaches, especially considering Netanyahu’s closer alignment with Republican figures during his previous terms.
3. **Response to Constituent Preferences**: Politicians often have to consider the preferences and opinions of their constituents. Khanna’s district in California is diverse and likely includes a significant number of people with progressive views on foreign policy who might favor more critical stances on issues like Israeli settlement expansion and the treatment of Palestinians.
4. **Impact on U.S.-Israel Relations**: While individual decisions like Khanna’s might seem minor, collectively they could signal changing dynamics in U.S.-Israel relations, especially concerning Congressional support. The reactions and non-participation of certain members might influence future diplomatic interactions and decisions.
5. **Media and Public Interaction**: Khanna’s discussion on a prominent platform like ”Meet the Press” suggests an intention to communicate his reasons clearly and publicly, potentially influencing public opinion and the discourse surrounding Netanyahu’s visit as well as broader U.S.-Israel relations.
decisions like these highlight how intertwined domestic politics and international relationships can be, and they underscore the multiple factors at play when U.S. politicians navigate their engagements with foreign leaders.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) informed NBC’s Peter Alexander that he did not plan to attend an upcoming congressional address from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Khanna joined Alexander, who was guest-hosting the network’s Sunday morning episode of “Meet the Press,” and complained about Netanyahu’s past treatment of former President Barack Obama: “He should not expect reciprocity.”
WATCH:
WATCH: As Israeli PM Netanyahu prepares to address a joint session of Congress, @RepRoKhanna (D-Calif.) says he “will not attend.”
“I’m not going to sit in a one-way lecture. … How he treated treated President Obama, he should not expect reciprocity.” pic.twitter.com/kvgiNwJPsm
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) June 16, 2024
“I will not attend,” Khanna told Alexander during Sunday’s broadcast. “I said that if he wants to come to speak to members of Congress about how to end the war and release hostages, I would be fine doing that, but I’m not going to sit in a one-way lecture.”
“And I agree with Representative Clyburn,” Khanna continued. “I mean, how he treated President Obama, he should not expect reciprocity. That said, I think it should be polite. We’re not going to make a big deal about it. He’s obviously addressing the Congress, and there has to be decorum.”
Khanna follows Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in announcing his plans to skip the address. Sanders took things a bit further, however, accusing Netanyahu of being responsible for the civilian deaths in Gaza despite the knowledge that Hamas terrorists routinely use the civilian population as human shields.
“What [Speaker Mike] Johnson is going to have to explain to the American people is why he thinks it’s OK to invite somebody to a joint session who is responsible for the deaths of some 38,000 Palestinians at this point, 60% of whom are women and children, elderly people,” Sanders said, citing casualty numbers provided but the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
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