Speaker Mike Johnson to address Israeli parliament June 22

Johnson reassures Netanyahu successful gathering

Johnson reassures Netanyahu connected U.S. committedness during Capitol Hill visit 04:35

Washington — House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday helium volition question to Israel aboriginal this period to code the Israel's parliament, known arsenic the Knesset, successful Jerusalem.

"It volition beryllium 1 of the highest honors of my beingness to code the Israeli Knesset astatine this fateful moment," Johnson said successful a connection announcing the June 22 address. "Our ties tally deeper than subject partnerships and commercialized agreements. We're bound by the aforesaid beliefs, the aforesaid psalms, and the aforesaid ineffable pursuit of liberty."

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, has led House Republicans successful their staunch enactment of Israel successful the warfare successful Gaza that began pursuing Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Johnson's speakership began weeks later, aft the ouster of his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy. 

McCarthy besides addressed the Knesset during his speakership successful May 2023. And for Johnson, the overseas travel marks 1 of a tiny fig he's taken since becoming speaker. His archetypal travel overseas since taking the gavel came successful September erstwhile helium attended the G7 acme successful Italy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson code the media aft a gathering successful the U.S. Capitol connected Friday, February 7, 2025.  Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

The sojourn comes 20 months aft the struggle betwixt Israel and Hamas began. The U.S. has agelong been engaged successful ongoing negotiations to broker a ceasefire betwixt the two, and President Trump has expressed optimism successful caller weeks. Meanwhile, Israel has faced aggravated disapproval successful caller months for a blockade connected assistance deliveries into Gaza.

Johnson met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu successful Washington successful February. The talker reiterated Wednesday that "it is our motivation imperative to basal by our sister democracy" amid "grave threats" to Israel and Jewish people.

"As panic and vile antisemitic ideology endanger Western Civilization, Israel indispensable cognize that erstwhile America said, 'Never Again,' we meant it," Johnson added.