US Government Interns Call in Sick to Protest Benjamin Netanyahu

Nearly 100 interns working for the U.S. government called in sick or walked out of work on July 24 to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress, according to The News Movement.

A letter was circulated among interns in the House and Senate and shared by the online media company. It included signatures from interns in both Republican and Democratic offices. Newsweek has not been able to independently verify the letter.

The Context

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech to Congress on Wednesday. Several key members of the Democratic Party voiced their opposition to the address. Roughly 70 congressional Democratic politicians boycotted the speech, according to Time magazine.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib protested Netanyahu's address, holding up a sign that said "War Criminal." In a post on X, formerly Twitter, she wrote, "The apartheid government of Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians. Palestinians will not be erased. Solidarity with all those outside of these walls in the streets protesting and exercising their right to dissent."

Netanyahu has rejected accusations of committing genocide, calling them outrageous.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin previously testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, stating that there is no evidence of Israel committing genocide in Gaza.

Newsweek reached out to Netanyahu's office through an online contact form for comment.

This is Netanyahu's first address to Congress since October 7, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages.

Since then, Israel has launched an assault on Gaza, displacing over 2.1 million Palestinians and killing upwards of 39,000 in the tiny enclave, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The International Criminal Court (ICC)'s chief prosecutor has sought arrest warrants for senior Hamas and Israeli leadership, including Netanyahu, over suspected war crimes committed during the war in Gaza.

Neither Israel nor the U.S. are parties to the ICC's founding Rome Statute.

Newsweek has reached out to the office of President Joe Biden via email for comment.

What We Know

Thousands protested Netanyahu's visit to Washington, D.C. Protestors burned U.S. flags, raised Palestinian flags outside Union station, maggots were dumped on a banquet able at Netanyahu's hotel and fountains around the capital city were dyed red.

In his speech, Netanyahu criticized war protestors, calling them "Iran's useful idiots" and stating that they "should be ashamed of themselves."

The intern letter, which was shared in part by The News Movement was titled: "Intern Call for Boycott of Netanyahu's Address."

It read: "By signing this letter, you assert your condemnation and rejection of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a joint session of Congress on July 24, 2024. You do not indicate your commitment to participating in the sick-out."

"This call for your office to boycott Netanyahu's address stands in solidarity with the overwhelming will of the American public who denounce his crimes against humanity."

The letter continued that, "Signing this letter does not interfere with congressional intern duties."

The letter also stated that, "Office names will not be made publicly available. We aim to provide anonymity to protect signatories while also demonstrating the vast and united dissent against Netanyahu."

The letter collected over 80 anonymous signatures from interns, who pledged either to call in sick or walk out of the working day in order to denounce Netanyahu, as per The News Movement.

Many of the interns who signed the letter said they wished to remain anonymous, due to fears of doxing or retaliation, according to The News Movement.

Doxing refers to the act of publicly revealing personally identifiable information about an individual or organization, typically via the internet and without their consent.

Newsweek has reached out to the Senate and the House of Representatives for comment.

What's Next?

According to a press release from the White House, Biden will host Netanyahu on Thursday at the White House. The leaders "will discuss developments in Gaza and progress towards a ceasefire and hostage release deal" according to the statement.

Former President, Donald Trump will meet with Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Friday.

Netanyahu is also expected to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris.

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