BIBI WATCH: At Least 50 Lawmakers Are Boycotting Netanyahu Speech

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio looks on at right as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a statement on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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At least 50 lawmakers will boycott Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress on Tuesday, according to Tuesday morning whip counts.

According to The Hill, 56 Congressional Democrats have said they will not attend the speech, which House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) invited Netanyahu to deliver without first consulting the White House. By The Hill’s count, seven Senate Democrats and 46 House Democrats will skip the joint meeting.

According to J Street, a liberal group that advocates for a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, 50 lawmakers have said they will boycott Netanyahu’s address. J Street’s whip count included 49 Democrats and one Republican, Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina.

Between The Hill’s whip count and J Street’s list, 59 lawmakers have said they will not attend Netanyahu’s address.

This post has been updated.

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