House Speaker Mike Johnson Postpones Trip to Israel Amid Conflict

House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced that he will delay his planned visit to Israel, where he was set to speak at the Knesset later this month, due to the escalating violence involving Iran and Israel. In his statement on Monday, Johnson emphasized the complexities of the current situation and expressed hope to reschedule his address soon, while extending prayers to the citizens of Israel and the broader Middle East region.

Originally, Johnson's trip was announced for June 22 and marked one of the few international trips he has embarked on since assuming the speakership. The Louisiana Republican has been a vocal supporter of Israel in its ongoing conflict in Gaza, which escalated following the attack from Hamas on October 7, 2023. Johnson took on the role of Speaker after his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, who addressed the Knesset in May 2023.

Earlier this year, Johnson met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, reinforcing his commitment to U.S.-Israel relations, asserting that America's promise of "Never Again" must be upheld, which he described as a moral obligation. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has elevated its travel advisory for Israel to Level 4, advising American citizens against traveling there due to significant risks stemming from ongoing armed conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest. The department cautioned that the security climate in key locations such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem remains volatile, encouraging citizens to enhance their security awareness given the potential for sudden security incidents.