Rep. Judy Chu (Photo – Judy Chu office)
On Wednesday, July 24, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) issued the following statement announcing she would not attend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fourth address to a joint session of Congress.
By News Desk
“Israelis and Palestinians deserve the chance to live in safety and peace, side-by-side, under a two-state solution. But for far too long, Prime Minister Netanyahu has purposefully undermined prospects for peace and taken a battering ram to Israel’s democracy. For those reasons, I have decided not to attend his address to a joint session of Congress today.
I believe in Israel’s right to defend itself. However, nearly ten months after the horrific October 7th Hamas terrorist attack, it is long past time to secure a ceasefire that will end the bloodshed, finally secure the release of all hostages still held by Hamas, and pave the way for negotiations for a permanent peace. The Biden-Harris Administration has worked tirelessly to secure hostages’ freedom and a ceasefire and negotiated with regional partners to offer a comprehensive framework forward. Prime Minister Netanyahu does not share these goals and will indefinitely continue a military operation that has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives if it allows him to remain in power.
I will not attend today’s joint address by Prime Minister Netanyahu, but I will always stand up for peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
Leave a Reply