Progressive "Squad" Democrats like Reps. Greg Casar and Ayanna Pressley are criticizing the decision to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Congress. (Getty Images)
It's spurred pushback from the left, where a growing number of Democrats have voiced criticism for Netanyahu's handling of the war in Gaza in retaliation for Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack in Israel. The controversy took on new significance last month when the International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, announced he would seek arrest warrants against top Israeli and Hamas officials, Netanyahu included.
"Instead of coming here, we need Netanyahu to stop bombing indiscriminately in Gaza and for him to respect the president's red line of not having continued military operations in Rafah," Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, told Fox News Digital. "I don't think it's a good time for him to be coming."
Asked if he planned to attend the speech, Casar said, "I don't plan to attend, and I will plan to participate in whatever advocacy is being done to push for Netanyahu and Hamas to agree to a cease-fire."
Speaker Mike Johnson pressured Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to agree to inviting Netanyahu. (Getty Images)
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had been publicly pressuring Schumer for weeks to sign onto an invitation for Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress, an honor reserved for the heads of state of the U.S.'s staunchest allies. He told reporters in late May that he was prepared to invite Netanyahu to address the House alone if Schumer did not join his effort.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Meanwhile, the issue of Israel's war in Gaza has brought long-simmering fractures between the progressive and the establishment left to the surface.
Far-left lawmakers have been critical of President Biden for not taking a firmer stance on Gaza, with some, like Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., warning it could cost him the 2024 presidential election.
On Tuesday, a vote to levy sanctions on the ICC if it went after the U.S. or allies like Israel garnered support from 42 Democrats, despite the White House coming out strongly against the idea of sanctions. Democratic leaders up to the president himself have criticized the ICC threat.
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.
Subscribed
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/squad-dems-furious-netanyahus-invite-congress-accused-war-criminal