On July 24, Netanyahu is set to address the United States Congress at the invitation of leaders from both major parties. Anti-imperialist and pro-Palestine organizations have organized a mobilization of thousands to surround the US Capitol Building while the Israeli Prime Minister speaks. At the same time, dozens of artists, trade union leaders, academics, journalists, and politicians have signed onto an open letter denouncing Netanyahu’s visit.
Signatories to the letter include artists Roger Waters, Kehlani, Alana Hadid, Lauren Jauregui, Sara Ramirez, journalist Chris Hedges, leading academics Frederic Jameson, Gerald Horne, and Robin D.G. Kelley. Several labor leaders have also signed on, including Rafael Jaime, President of UAW 4811, Greg Goodlander, President of Orange Unified Educators Association, Anand Balakrishnan, President of UAW 872, and Nathalie Hrizi VP of Substitutes, UESF. Third party presidential candidates Dr. Jill Stein and Claudia De La Cruz (as well as Claudia’s running mate Karina Garcia) also signed.
??Artists & Intellectuals, including Alana Hadid @TheLanzyBear, Roger Waters @rogerwaters, @Kehlani, Sara Ramirez, Lauren Jauregui, Lowkey, and many more have signed an open letter rejecting Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the US to address Congress and say: ‘ARREST NETANYAHU!’… pic.twitter.com/OBozO5IUfp
— The People’s Forum (@PeoplesForumNYC) July 22, 2024
“It is an outrage and a disgrace that Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited to speak before both houses of Congress,” reads the letter. “While the International Criminal Court prepares an arrest warrant for him for war crimes and crimes against humanity, we are about to witness the spectacle of members of the US Congress giving him a hero’s welcome. We demand that this invitation be rescinded.”
The letter ends with a call to join the mass mobilization to surround the Capitol. “We, The People, call for the execution of international law and Netanyahu’s arrest!” the letter declares.
