Netanyahu’s address divides California’s congressmembers, sparks protest

To boycott or not to boycott? That was the devilish question California's Democrats grappled with on Wednesday

Simmering tensions over the Israel-Hamas war reignited on Wednesday when Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed Congress, drawing a split response from California’s House members and spurring protests both in D.C. and at home.

The divisive address took place at the invitation of the Republican Party during a time when the Democrats are desperately trying to unify following internal conflict over Biden’s fitness for office.

More than 50 Democratic House members chose to boycott the speech in protest of Netanyahu’s war policies in Gaza, that led to the killing of more than 39,000 people since Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages on Oct. 7, 2023.

Several thousand pro-Palestine protesters marched toward the Capitol on Wednesday. Meanwhile, protests are scheduled outside the local offices of two Los Angeles area representatives who attended the speech, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, and Brad Sherman, D-Van Nuys.

During his address, Netanyahu doggedly defended Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, painting the conflict as a battle between civility and barbarism and calling protesters “Iran’s useful idiots.”

Among the notably absent Californians were former speaker of the house Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco; Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland; and Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside.

“The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has taken countless lives, including the lives of women and children, and destroyed Palestinian homes and communities,” said Lee on Tuesday. “Prime Minister Netanyahu’s deeply divisive policies put the peace and security of both Israelis and Palestinians at risk. I will not condone this by being present at the address.”

Takano criticized the Republican Party for inviting Netanyahu to D.C, saying the event was intended “to sow division amongst members of Congress during this precarious time.” Pelosi similarly called the invite “inappropriate.”

Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles, attended the speech, but shortly thereafter issued a blistering statement demanding Netanyahu resign, saying his approach to the war had caused “unimaginable pain in the region, failed to keep his own people secure and made us all less safe.”

Both Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Van Nuys, and Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino, said it was important to listen to what Netanyahu had to say as Israel is America’s biggest ally in the Middle East.

“I feel when world leaders come to the people’s chamber, it’s important that we hear their perspective. Israel is our closest ally,” said Aguilar at a press conference on Tuesday. “I’m looking forward to the Prime Minister’s address, even if I disagree with some policies that his government is putting forward at times.”

Republican Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, meanwhile said it was “an honor” to hear Netanyahu speech, calling the war between Israel and Hamas “a clear case of good and evil.”

“The fastest way to peace and stability in the Middle East is with an Israeli victory,” said Garcia. “The current administration needs to stop standing in the way of that victory, stop appeasing Iran and its terrorist proxies, and start supporting an outright victory for our Israeli brothers and sisters.”

Other Los Angeles area representatives such as Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, and Ted Lieu, D-Los Angeles,  did not comment on their reasons for attending the speech.

The decision of many Democratic congress members to attend the address frustrated pro-Palestine activists who are calling for an immediate ceasefire.

“Our leaders should be using their power to enact an arms embargo to enable a ceasefire and hostage exchange, and we are deeply disappointed that representatives Adam Schiff, Brad Sherman, Ted Lieu and Pete Aguilar have instead chosen to attend Netanyahu’s address and give credence to his warmongering,” said Jay Goldstuck, West Coast field organizer for advocacy group IfNotNow.

“It is no surprise that all four representatives receive significant campaign contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee,” he added.

For months protesters have held weekly rallies outside Schiff’s Burbank office urging him to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. They plan to do so again on Wednesday evening, following Schiff’s attendance at Netanyahu’s speech.

In addition, a Thursday protest is planned outside of Rep. Brad Sherman’s Van Nuys office coinciding with his telephone town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m.

“Brad Sherman has consistently, throughout his political career, shown his support for Israel, over the needs of his constituents,” said Linda Milazzo, protest organizer and West Hills resident. “And that is obvious in his enthusiastic support for Netanyahu’s appearance today.”