Pelosi disappointed with Netanyahu's speech
Speaking before the US Congress is a rare honor for foreign state and government heads. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is granted this opportunity - and shocked former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with his statements.
Democratic US top politician Nancy Pelosi sharply criticized the appearance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before both chambers of the US Congress. This was the "worst performance by a foreign dignitary" who has been privileged to speak before the US Congress, Pelosi wrote on X. Netanyahu, in his speech, went against the hopes of relatives of the 120 still remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip by not announcing a weapons truce in exchange for their release.
Families of the hostages and their supporters reacted disappointed and angry to Netanyahu's address. The mother of a hostage criticized Israel's prime minister loudly in the "Times of Israel": "He is preventing 'for personal reasons' the agreement from happening."
Pelosi wrote further: "Many of us who love Israel spent today listening to Israeli citizens whose families have suffered as a result of the terrorist attack and kidnappings by Hamas on October 7. These families are demanding a ceasefire agreement that brings the hostages home - and we hope that the Prime Minister will spend his time achieving this goal."
A speech before both chambers of the American Parliament is a rare honor for foreign state and government heads. The beleaguered Israeli Prime Minister, who is under pressure at home and internationally, rejected any criticism of his country's military actions in the Gaza Strip in his speech on Wednesday (local time).
Negotiations for hostage deal stall
Netanyahu has been in the US for several days and plans to meet with US President Joe Biden, as well as his predecessor Donald Trump, who is running for the Republic party again in the November election, and Biden's Vice President Kamala Harris, who is expected to run for the Democrats.
However, indirect negotiations over a ceasefire are stalling: The announced trip of an Israeli delegation to Qatar for continued talks, where Qatar, Egypt, and the US act as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas, is being postponed further. They are now expected to take place in the coming week.
- Despite the ongoing negotiations for a hostage deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech before the US Congress shockingly did not announce a weapons truce in exchange for the release of the 120 hostages in Gaza, a decision that was met with disappointment and anger from their families and supporters.
- Following Netanyahu's controversial speech, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi penned a critical statement, labeling it as the "worst performance by a foreign dignitary" who has ever spoken before the US Congress.
- In the midst of this political turmoil, Democratic US top politician Nancy Pelosi reached out to the families of the hostages, expressing her solidarity and urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to focus on achieving a ceasefire agreement that would bring their loved ones home.