Israel’s President Herzog will address Congress to commemorate the 75th anniversary of its statehood

On July 19, Israeli President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to address a joint session of the United States Congress, as part of the celebrations marking 75 years since Israel’s founding. This announcement was made by U.S. congressional leaders on Thursday, emphasizing the profound connection between the two nations.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., stated that both nations benefit greatly from their mutual cooperation. He reminded people that the United States was the first country to acknowledge Israel’s statehood, just eleven minutes after its proclamation in 1948. The connection between the two countries has since grown stronger, he noted.

In May, McCarthy addressed the Knesset, marking the first time a sitting speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives had done so in a quarter of a century. This took place during a period of heightened tension between Israel’s government and U.S. President Joe Biden.

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Only one other Israeli president has addressed a joint meeting of Congress before, and that was Herzog’s father, President Chaim Herzog, over 35 years ago. The position of Israeli president primarily serves as a symbol of unity and a moral guide in a country known for its diversity and occasional division.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has had the opportunity to address Congress three times, with his latest appearance in 2015 at the invitation of the Republican leaders. His speech criticizing then-President Barack Obama’s proposed nuclear pact with Iran greatly upset the White House and the Democratic leadership.

While Netanyahu and Biden have a longstanding relationship, they have clashed on several issues, including Netanyahu’s plans to reform Israel’s judiciary, viewed by many as a step towards authoritarianism, and his hard-line approach towards expanding West Bank settlements and punishing Palestinians. Netanyahu’s stances directly contradict Biden’s efforts to enhance U.S.-Palestinian relations.

Biden stated in March that he had no immediate plans to invite Netanyahu to the White House. In response, McCarthy asserted in May that he would extend an invitation to Netanyahu to address Congress if Biden chose not to.

Earlier this month, during an event hosted by the Israeli embassy, President Herzog expressed his desire for a visit to the White House to Vice President Kamala Harris and others via video link. The National Security Council, when asked about the potential visit, stated it had no announcements to make.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, R-Calif., had invited President Herzog to address Congress the previous year. Schumer, who met Herzog in Israel during a February visit, described him as a great leader who was particularly influential at the current time.

Schumer stated that inviting President Herzog to address a joint meeting of Congress demonstrated the longstanding bipartisan support for Israel in the U.S., which goes beyond party politics. He said he was looking forward to welcoming Herzog to the Capitol.

AP reporters Aamer Madhani and Zeke Miller have contributed to this report.

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More about Isaac Herzog Congress Address

• Israel’s Statehood Anniversary
• Isaac Herzog, Israeli President
• US-Israel Relations
• Benjamin Netanyahu’s 2015 Address to Congress
• Israel and Iran Nuclear Agreement
• Israel’s Settlement Policy
• US President Joe Biden’s Middle East Policy