---

Last Updated on August 2, 2024.

Washington – Win Without War President, Stephen Miles, released the following statement responding to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress:

“We are grateful to the many, many members of Congress who chose to not attend Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech to Congress today. This was a political stunt dreamed up by a House Speaker trying to score political points and embraced by the Prime Minister as a desperate ploy to try and blunt the massive global condemnation and domestic political opposition he faces. It’s a speech that never should have happened.

“Netanyahu remains a criminal defendant in his ongoing corruption trial in Israel even while he awaits an arrest warrant for war crimes from the International Criminal Court. He had no place speaking to Congress today. His horrific war on the people of Gaza has now killed more than 38,000 people even while he and members of his government repeatedly threaten escalation throughout the region, violence that could kill many times more. All of this makes people in Israel, people in Palestine, and people in the United States less safe.

“As has been true for months, the only path forward is a ceasefire that will secure the release of hostages and put an end to the fighting. Despite his rhetoric today, the Prime Minister has routinely put his own political survival ahead of such a deal. Now that he’s done speaking, it’s time for members of Congress to listen to the overwhelming voices of their constituents and do everything they can to secure a ceasefire, now.”

###

Win Without War is a diverse network of activists and national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in the United States.

July 24, 2024