Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy upstaged President Joe Biden by extending an invitation to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the White House snubbed him.
“If that [a visit to the White House] doesn’t happen, I’ll invite the prime minister to come meet with the House. He’s a dear friend, as a prime minister of a country that we have our closest ties with,” McCarthy said Sunday in an interview with Israel Hayom. “I think it’s too long now. He should invite him soon.”
In March, Biden told reporters that he would not be inviting Netanyahu to the White House in the “near term” amid the Israeli government’s plan to extend more power over the judiciary. (RELATED: Protests Break Out In Israel After Netanyahu Fires Defense Minister)
The president did not deliver the message to Netanyahu personally and relied on his ambassador.
The White House also called the Israeli government to reach a compromise.
“We believe that it is the best path forward for Israel — Israel and all of its citizens to find this compromise. Democratic societies are strengthened by checks and balances, and fundamental changes to a democratic system should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support. And so, that’s what we’re going to continue to call for,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
The judiciary overhaul plan triggered hundreds of thousands of Israelis to take to the streets in protest and Netanyahu eventually halted the implementation of the plan to allow for deliberation with opposing parties.
TOPSHOT – Protesters block a road and hold national flags as they gather around a bonfire during a rally against the Israeli government’s judicial reform in Tel Aviv, Israel on March 27, 2023. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)
The White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller regarding whether Biden has any new plans to host the Israeli leader.
Biden has also said he would not meet with McCarthy over the debt ceiling.
“Happy to meet with McCarthy,” Biden said. “But not on whether or not the debt limit gets extended. That’s not negotiable.”
“President Biden hasn’t talked to me about the debt ceiling for the last 80 some days so. I think he, the prime minister, might be in good company if he treats me the same way,” McCarthy continued in his rebuke.
The speaker of the house added that he already invited Israeli President Isaac Herzog to speak before both chambers of Congress to mark the 75th anniversary of Israel in June, according to the Israel Hayom.