Ilhan Omar-led Progressive Democrats to Boycott Isaac Herzog’s Speech in Congress

Progressive Democrats Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush and Jamal Bowman will boycott Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s speech before a joint session of Congress on July 19. Omar highlighted Israel’s human rights record. 

“There is no way in hell I am attending the joint session from a president whose country has banned me and denied Rashida Tlaib the ability to see her grandma,” the Congresswoman tweeted. Last month, Omar opposed the invitation for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint session based on his government’s human rights record, and this month she is boycotting a similar address from Israeli President Isaac Herzog. 

There is no way in hell I am attending the joint session address from a President whose country has banned me and denied @RashidaTlaib the ability to see her grandma. A thread👇🏽

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) July 13, 2023

The Minnesota representative said Herzog’s address comes on behalf of the most right-wing government in Israel’s history, at a time when the government is openly promising to crush Palestinian hopes of statehood, essentially putting a nail in the coffin of peace and a two-state solution. 

Bowman believes Israel hasn’t gone far enough in protecting and uplifting Palestinian rights and Palestinian lives. In his stance to uphold the rights of Palestinians, the New York congressman dropped support for a bill aimed at expanding the Abraham Accords. 

“The violence there’s been escalating over the last couple of years. Palestinians are under occupation, even though many live are under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, not Israel.” Bowman has also been calling for full citizenship for the Palestinians in Israel and a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Ocasio-Cortez is also vocally critical of Israel. Like Bowman, she abstained on the Iron Dome funding legislation and co-sponsored legislation with fellow congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. 

Speaker Kevin McCarthy slammed the so-called progressive democrats’ plan to boycott the Israeli president. He told reporters that anti-Semitism shouldn’t be anywhere, and especially shouldn’t be in the Congress. However, the Democrats who will not be attending Herzog’s speech have stated clearly that their “boycott is based on the Israeli government policy and is not rooted in anti-Semitism. 

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Hakeem Jeffries, House minority leader, defended those progressive democrats saying members make individual decisions. “But I can tell you that I expect there will be an incredibly robust turnout and participation among House Democrats on Wednesday.” 

Herzog will be addressing the Congress as part of Israel’s 75^th anniversary. His visit to Washington reflects an enduring partnership and friendship with the United States. President Joe Biden is expected to discuss opportunities to deepen Israel’s regional integration to create a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East.