Which members of Congress from New York avoided Netanyahu's speech?

 

Only four progressives refused to attend the speech, but some who attended were critical of the Israeli prime minister. 

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress on the state of the Gaza conflict and the necessity of US continuing support. Netanyahu is under intense pressure because to domestic calls for his resignation and global demonstrations over the war's continuing costs in lives. Congress was even the scene of protests. Only about half of the Democrats in Congress attended the speech by the Israeli prime minister, after at least 38 legislators declared they would boycott it. Outside the Capitol, protests took place during the address. 

Four Democrats from New York's House took part in the boycott. While some of the other members of the state delegation apparently had harsh words for Netanyahu, the majority of them reportedly attended the speech. The congressional lawmakers from New York have stated their opinions on the speech. 

Congressman Jamaal Bowman was not present. 

When it came to abstaining from Netanyahu's speech to Congress, Bowman stuck to his constant stance of criticizing Israel during the Gaza War. The spokesperson published a scathing opinion piece in the Guardian on Wednesday, denouncing the Israeli prime minister as a "genocidal war criminal." 

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was not present.

Members of the progressive caucus in the House, Bowman and Ocasio-Cortez have similar opinions on a range of topics, such as Israel and abstaining from Netanyahu's speech. In a statement on X on Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez called Netanyahu “an authoritarian with warrant requests from the International Criminal Court” and announced that she would not be attending his lecture. 

Congressman Paul Tonko was not present. 

Tonko has continuously advocated for a truce and has expressed disapproval of the Gaza War. He tweeted many times on Wednesday morning, stating that he thought Netanyahu would not talk about ending the violence when he spoke to Congress. Tonko declared he would not attend the event and would instead give speeches to Congressmen, families of hostages, and Israeli and Palestinian officials who are working toward peace. 

Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez was not present. 

Since the conflict started in October, Velázquez has been advocating for a ceasefire. On Tuesday, she made it known that she would not be attending Netanyahu's speech. The lawmaker discussed her opinions on the war and called Netanyahu "a major obstacle to achieving a permanent ceasefire" in an X post. 

May have attended, Representative Yvette Clarke 

Although Clarke was not included among those reportedly present for the address, she made no public announcements about her intention to boycott it. Her phone was unanswered when we tried to reach her.

The address was attended by the entire congressional delegation from New York. While some openly questioned or complimented Netanyahu, the majority remained silent about their choice to attend the event.

Majority Leader of the Senate Chuck Schumer was present. 

Since Schumer is the highest-ranking Jewish government official and the Senate majority leader, people pay attention to what he has to say about Israel and the conflict. Schumer criticizes Netanyahu while still endorsing Israel. Schumer made headlines in March by demanding Netanyahu step down and fresh elections be held in Israel. Nevertheless, the majority leader of the Senate accepted the Israeli PM's request to attend the address as one of the four signatories. 

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was present. 

Gillibrand has stood for Israel during the conflict. Along with a delegation of congressional lawmakers, she traveled to the nation in January and upon her return, she advocated for the captives' release. Following Netanyahu's address, the senator reiterated the need of freeing the captives by tweeting about the five American hostages and their families, as well as the hostage who lost his life. 

Hakeem Jeffries, the leader of the House minority, attended 

Jeffries has adopted a circumspect approach to the Gaza War, endorsing Israel and reiterating its legitimate claim to exist while simultaneously denouncing the death toll and highlighting the need for humanitarian relief in the area. Though he hasn't said anything in public on Netanyahu's speech, he made sure to go because he signed the bipartisan invitation that the majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate extended to Netanyahu. 

Congressman Gregory Meeks – Present 

Meeks has consistently backed Israel. Despite his reservations about the potential uses of the weapons, the representative supported a $18 billion arms package for Israel last month while serving as the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Meeks said he will go to the speech in a Wednesday interview with NPR. 

Congressman Jerrold Nadler – Present 

Similar to Schumer, Nadler is a vocal advocate for Israel while also criticizing Netanyahu. He denounced Netanyahu as "the worst leader in Jewish history since the Maccabean king who invited the Romans into Jerusalem over 2100 years ago" in a tweet he sent on Tuesday. Nadler declared that he will go to the speech "out of respect for the state of Israel and the office of the Prime Minister," despite his contempt for the Israeli PM. Following Netanyahu's speech, Nadler said in an interview with MSNBC that the speaker's "political interest is to keep the war going as long as possible." He called the speech "fundamentally dishonest." 

Congressman Ritchie Torres – Present 

A split has developed between Torres and the Congressional Progressive Caucus as a result of his unwavering support for Israel since the start of the conflict. In a tweet after Netanyahu's speech, Torres referred to the connection between the United States and Israel as "a proud champion of the world's greatest friendship." 

Congressman Patrick Ryan – Present 

Ryan has criticized Netanyahu, demanded a brief ceasefire, and campaigned for billions of dollars' worth of humanitarian supplies to be sent to Gaza. He nevertheless went to hear Netanyahu speak. He told City & State in a statement, "I went out of deep respect for the important alliance between the United States and Israel." 

Rep. Tom Suozzi was present. 

Suozzi stressed the return of the captives as the primary objective of the conflict in a joint statement he sent on Tuesday with Sens. Christopher Coons of Delaware, Michael Bennet of Colorado, and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania. He also asked Netanyahu to steer clear of politicized language in his speech. The objectives of the joint declaration were to put an end to the hostilities, deliver humanitarian supplies, and restore normalcy to the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Israel.