Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is among dozens of lawmakers who are planning to skip Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's joint address of Congress on Wednesday.
The list of lawmakers boycotting the speech is growing rapidly, with even one Republican saying they will not attend.
"The purpose of having Netanyahu address Congress is to bolster his political standing in Israel," Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a libertarian isolationist, said in a post on X."I don't feel like being a prop so I won't be attending," he said.
"Speaker Pelosi will not be attending today's Joint Meeting of Congress," a Pelosi spokesperson said.
"This morning, she will join a Members meeting with Israeli citizens whose families have suffered in the wake of the October 7th Hamas terror attack and kidnappings."Pelosi joins a number of leading Democrats skipping the event, including former House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and former Jan. 6 committee chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.).
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How do you feel about public figures using boycotts as a form of political protest?
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Do you believe politicians skipping an event can effectively convey their disagreement or stance on an issue?
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If a leader from another country was speaking in your nation's government, under what circumstances would you support or oppose boycotting their speech?
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Considering the idea of 'being a prop' as mentioned, how important is it for public officials to maintain their integrity in potentially manipulative situations?
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What impact do you think the absence of prominent figures like Pelosi at such events has on public perception and the effectiveness of political actions?