US House Speaker Mike Johnson will visit Israel on June 22 to address the Knesset and meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu, amid ongoing conflict in Gaza and global sanctions on Israeli ministers.
June 22 Visit to Feature Address to Knesset and Talks with Netanyahu
US House Speaker Mike Johnson has confirmed that he will travel to Israel on June 22, where he is expected to address the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset, and meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The visit comes at a particularly sensitive time as Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza and faces growing international scrutiny.
“Our ties run deeper than military partnerships and trade agreements,” Johnson said in a statement, signaling unwavering US-Israel relations even as global criticism mounts.
Strategic Timing Amid Military and Diplomatic Strains
Johnson’s upcoming visit follows nearly 20 months of conflict in Gaza, where Israel launched its offensive after the October 2023 incursion by Hamas. His trip also takes place just days after a diplomatic rupture: five allied nations—Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway—imposed sanctions on far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Israel has condemned these measures as “outrageous” and has announced a government meeting early next week to determine its response.
US Stance Under the Spotlight
Johnson’s presence in Jerusalem will be widely interpreted as a reaffirmation of American support for Israel, especially under Republican leadership in the House. However, his silence on recent human rights concerns and international sanctions could further polarize public opinion within the US and abroad.
Although full details of Johnson’s itinerary remain under wraps, sources from Punchbowl News have reported that a meeting with Netanyahu is scheduled, potentially to discuss ongoing security cooperation, regional threats, and Congressional support for continued US aid to Israel.
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