The article casts the invitation as a terrible mistake, warning the speech “will not represent the State of Israel and its citizens, and it will reward his scandalous and destructive conduct toward our country.”

The group said such an invitation should have been dependent on a plan to end the war in Gaza, rescue the captives, and fresh elections in Israel, tasks Netanyahu has failed to accomplish.

“Inviting Mr. Netanyahu will reward his contempt for US efforts to establish a peace plan, allow more aid to the beleaguered people of Gaza and do a better job of sparing civilians,” the article reads.

“Time and again, he has rejected US President Biden’s plan to remove Hamas from power in Gaza through the establishment of a peacekeeping force. Such a move would very likely bring in its wake a far broader regional alliance, including a vision to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is not only in Israel’s interest but also in the interest of both political parties in the United States. Mr. Netanyahu constitutes the main obstacle to these outcomes.”

Moreover, the article slammed Netanyahu for his “authoritarian remaking of Israel.” It said the speech to Congress would allow him “to boast to his constituents about America’s so-called support for his failed policies.”

“His supporters in Israel will be emboldened by his appearance in Congress to insist that the war continue, which will further distance any deal to secure the release of the hostages, including several US citizens,” it added.

“Giving Mr. Netanyahu the stage in Washington will all but dismiss the rage and pain of his people, as expressed in the demonstrations throughout the country. American lawmakers should not let that happen. They should ask Mr. Netanyahu to stay home.”

Along with Ehud Barak, the article is submitted by David Harel, the president of Israel’s Academy of Sciences and Humanities; Tamir Pardo, a former Mossad spy agency director; Talia Sasson, a former prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office; Aaron Ciechanover, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2004; and writer David Grossman.

The last time Netanyahu addressed the US Congress, nearly 60 Democrats skipped his speech nine years ago, calling it a slap in the face to then-President Barack Obama as he negotiated a nuclear deal with Iran.

AP reported that with his newly scheduled address to US lawmakers, the number of absences is likely to be far greater.

Congressional Democrats are wrestling with whether to attend. Many are torn between their long-standing support for Israel and their anguish about the way Israel has conducted military operations in Gaza.

The invitation from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to Netanyahu came after consultation with the White House, according to a person familiar with the matter who was granted anonymity to discuss this sensitive subject. As of now, no meeting between the leaders during Netanyahu’s Washington visit has been scheduled, this person said.

Republicans first floated the idea in March of inviting Netanyahu after Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the United States, gave a speech on the Senate floor that was harshly critical of the prime minister.

Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the Israeli leader “an obstacle to peace” and urged new elections in Israel.

Interviews with more than a dozen Democrats revealed the breadth of discontent over the coming address, which many feel is a Republican ploy intended to divide their party. Some Democrats say they will attend to express their support for Israel, not Netanyahu.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) fiercely criticized Netanyahu’s upcoming address, calling him a "war criminal" and accusing him of having no regard for US law.

"This man should not be addressing Congress. He is a war criminal," Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a post on X. "And he certainly has no regard for US law, which is explicitly designed to prevent US weapons from facilitating human rights abuses. His invitation should be revoked. It should have never been sent in the first place."

The controversy took on new significance in May when the International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan announced he would seek arrest warrants against top Israeli officials, including Netanyahu.