In a recent development, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, announced his plans to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress. This comes amidst criticism from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, over Netanyahu's handling of the recent war in Gaza against Hamas.

During an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box," Speaker Johnson expressed his enthusiasm about inviting Netanyahu to address Congress, stating, "I would love to have him come in and address a joint session of Congress. We'll certainly extend that invitation." However, he mentioned that scheduling details are still being worked out.

The House Speaker's invitation to Netanyahu comes at a time when Johnson himself has been asked to speak at Israel's parliament, the Knesset. Schumer, in response to Johnson's announcement, expressed his willingness to welcome Netanyahu's speech, highlighting the strong alliance between the United States and Israel that transcends any political leadership.

Just a week ago, Schumer had criticized Netanyahu and called for Israel to hold an election to remove him from power. The New York Democrat accused the Israeli Prime Minister of prioritizing his political survival over the best interests of the country, claiming that his actions were damaging support for Israel globally.

Speaker Johnson vehemently criticized Schumer's remarks, describing them as "almost staggering, just unbelievable." He argued that it was absurd for Schumer to suggest that the United States knows better how to run Israel's democracy, especially considering their status as the strongest ally in the Middle East and the only stable democracy in the region.

Johnson went on to emphasize the gravity of the situation Israel is facing, likening it to calling for regime change in Ukraine during their crisis. He urged Schumer to refrain from making such comments and to show support for Israel during this challenging time.

Notably, Netanyahu recently addressed Republican senators in a closed-door virtual meeting. However, Schumer reportedly rejected a request by Netanyahu to address the Senate Democratic Caucus in a similar manner, according to NBC News.

As the invitation to Netanyahu awaits finalization, it is evident that the support for the Israeli Prime Minister's address in Congress is mixed among party lines. Nevertheless, the ongoing discourse highlights the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Israel, which is expected to remain regardless of the political landscape.