Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference in Washington Monday. Netanyahu is seizing the high-profile bully pulpit of the U.S. House to deliver his stern message about the dangers of a nuclear deal that President Barack Obama and U.S. allies might sign with Israelís archenemy.(Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP)
WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a packed House chamber on Capitol Hill Tuesday, arguing for a harder line in nuclear negotiations with Iran.
But despite the friction with the White House caused by his appearance, Netanyahu may strike a more conciliatory tone. He told a pro-Israel lobbying group that he "deeply appreciates" all that President Obama has done for Israel.
"Let me clarify what is not the purpose of that speech. My speech is not intended to show any disrespect to President Obama or the esteemed office that he holds. I have great respect for both," Netanyahu said Monday.
Instead, Netanyahu said, "the purpose of my address to Congress tomorrow is to speak up about a potential deal with Iran that could threaten the survival of Israel."
USA TODAY
5 things to know about the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks
USA TODAY
Netanyahu: Speech to Congress won't 'disrespect' Obama
The United States and five other world powers are negotiating a deal with Iran that would seek to put at least a decade-long halt to its nuclear program. Members of Congress want to enact tougher sanctions in order to force a harder line against Iran, but President Obama has threatened to veto any such legislation, saying it could derail the talks.
On the eve of Netanyahu's speech, the Obama administration sought to allay fears that the Iran negotiations would result in a bad deal for Israel or the United States. The goal, he told the Reuters news agency in an interview Monday, would be to ensure "there's at least a year between us seeing them try to get a nuclear weapon and them actually being able to obtain one."
But while Obama said he and Netanyahu shared the same goal, he also said there's "substantial disagreement" about how to get there. "I'm less concerned, frankly, with Prime Minster Netanyahu's commentary than I'm with Congress taking actions that might undermine the talks before they're completed," Obama said.
National Security Adviser Susan Rice said Monday that a permanent halt to Iran's nuclear capability was unrealistic because negotiating partners on the United Nations Security Council don't support that. "If that is our goal, our partners will abandon us, undermining the sanctions we have imposed so effectively together. Simply put, that is not a viable negotiating position."
But she, too, tried to smooth over differences between Obama and Netanyahu. In her speech before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Rice lauded the close relationship between the two leaders, saying security cooperation between the two countries is "unprecedented," and noting that Obama has met with Netanyahu "more times than with almost any other world leader."
USA TODAY
Sen. Warren joins growing list shunning Netanyahu
At least 30 and as many as 60 Democrats are boycotting the speech, saying they thought the invitation was inappropriate. House Speaker John Boehner bypassed the White House in inviting Netanyahu just two weeks before his party faces a reelection in Israel.
Boehner will have no trouble filling those empty seats. The speaker's office says it has had 10 times more interest for tickets to the public galleries than any other event in his four-year speakership — including State of the Union addresses.
With his speech to Congress Tuesday, Netanyahu joins Winston Churchill as the only foreign leaders who have addressed Congress three times. And all told, Israel joins the United Kingdom and France as the only countries that have been invited eight times.
Follow @gregorykorte on Twitter.
Powered By WizardRSS.com |
Full Text RSS Feed
