Rep. Chu Declines to Attend Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address to Joint Session of Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) issued the following statement announcing she would not attend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fourth address to a joint session of Congress:
“Israelis and Palestinians deserve the chance to live in safety and peace, side-by-side, under a two-state solution. But for far too long, Prime Minister Netanyahu has purposefully undermined prospects for peace and taken a battering ram to Israel’s democracy. For those reasons, I have decided not to attend his address to a joint session of Congress today.
“I believe in Israel’s right to defend itself. However, nearly ten months after the horrific October 7th Hamas terrorist attack, it is long past time to secure a ceasefire that will end the bloodshed, finally secure the release of all hostages still held by Hamas, and pave the way for negotiations for a permanent peace. The Biden-Harris Administration has worked tirelessly to secure hostages’ freedom and a ceasefire and negotiated with regional partners to offer a comprehensive framework forward. Prime Minister Netanyahu does not share these goals and will indefinitely continue a military operation that has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives if it allows him to remain in power.
“I will not attend today’s joint address by Prime Minister Netanyahu, but I will always stand up for peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.”