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Netanyahu considering changes to Congress speech after criticism (Say it ain't so!)
Reuters ^ | Mon Feb 9, 2015 11:04am EST | Luke Baker

Posted on 02/09/2015 8:15:05 AM PST by Dave346

Israeli officials are considering amending the format of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned address to the U.S. Congress next month to try to calm some of the partisan furore the Iran-focused speech has already provoked.

Netanyahu is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress about Iran's nuclear programme on March 3, just two weeks before an Israeli parliamentary election, following an invitation from John Boehner, Republican speaker of the house.

The invitation has caused consternation in Israel and the United States, largely because it is viewed as Netanyahu, a hawk on Iran, working with the Republicans to thumb their noses at President Barack Obama's policy towards Tehran.

It is also seen as putting Netanyahu's political links to the Republicans ahead of Israel's bilateral relationship with the United States, while giving the Israeli prime minister a publicity boost ahead of the March 17 election.

As a result, Israeli officials are considering whether Netanyahu should speak in a closed session of Congress or in smaller meetings with Congressmen rather than in a prime-time TV address, so as to defuse the tensions around the event.

Another option is for the prime minister to make his speech at the annual meeting of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington the same week rather than in Congress.

"The issue has been under discussion for a week," said a source close to Netanyahu's office. "(Netanyahu) is discussing it with Likud people. Some say he should give up on the speech, others that he should go through with it."

Officials in Netanyahu's office said that for now his schedule had not changed.

"In the past days the prime minister has been approached several times about his trip to the United States," one official said. "At the moment there is no change in the plans."

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Israel; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: bomb; israel; netanyahu; netanyahucongress; nuclear; nucleariran; obamairan; terror; war; waronterror
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1 posted on 02/09/2015 8:15:05 AM PST by Dave346
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To: Dave346
maybe this ?
2 posted on 02/09/2015 8:16:26 AM PST by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but, they're true)
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To: Dave346

He’s got nothing to lose. He should go with his gut and let it all hang out.


3 posted on 02/09/2015 8:16:40 AM PST by ClearCase_guy (The dog days are over /The dog days are done/Can you hear the horses? /'Cause here they come)
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To: ClearCase_guy

Agree. Whatever Obama’s ghouls could threaten as coercion are or have already been implemented. Obama is Muslim. There is nothing he will do that benefits Israel. Changing his speech or address won’t change a doggone thing except maybe convince some members to defy the Muslim Tyrant.


4 posted on 02/09/2015 8:19:13 AM PST by Gaffer
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To: Dave346

Dear Bibi,
Speak the truth, moving to the sqishy middle never
works. The American people are ready for the facts.
Also, protect yourself, Obama only has the mullahs
back. Ask for forgiveness, not permission.


5 posted on 02/09/2015 8:20:28 AM PST by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: Dave346

I hope he doesn’t bow to pressure. I am so sick of everyone bowing to pressure and changing their minds, apologizing for speaking the truth, etc.

Stay tough, Bibi. You’ll be admired even more.


6 posted on 02/09/2015 8:21:21 AM PST by JudyinCanada
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To: Dave346

Can I ask a stupid question?

Why are Obama and Democrats angry at Boehner and the GOP for inviting Netanyahu to address Congress?

Congress is a co-equal branch of government. Just as Obama can invite Sharpton or whoever he wants to the White House, Boehner can invite whoever he wants to visit Congress, and does not need Obama’s approval to do so.

Are the Democrats similarly melting down over Pope Francis’ pending visit to America, and that he was invited to address Congress during his visit? I doubt Boehner got White House permission for that visit either.

But the point is Boehner doesn’t need Obama’s approval for how Congress operates. Obama and Democrats do not have veto power over who is invited to address Congress.


7 posted on 02/09/2015 8:21:44 AM PST by Dilbert San Diego
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To: tet68

“Ask for forgiveness, not permission.”

I’d rather he didn’t ask for either. der leader sure doesn’t.


8 posted on 02/09/2015 8:22:13 AM PST by V_TWIN
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To: Dave346

Bibi, please, oh please, stick it to Dorkbama.

The man is a slimy, lying, POS muzzie.

You know it.

We know it.

And, as such, he has not the physical, moral, or mental ability to debate you.

Do it.

Flush the Dorkbama down the logical toilet.

Flush twice.

It’s a long way to Mecca.


9 posted on 02/09/2015 8:22:42 AM PST by Da Coyote
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To: Dave346

Change now and it looks like he is giving in to U.S. political pressure, which can’t help his standings with his supporters back in Israel.


10 posted on 02/09/2015 8:22:56 AM PST by DoodleDawg
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To: ClearCase_guy

Obama is going to help Iran no matter what ,he’s probably already helping Iran


11 posted on 02/09/2015 8:23:59 AM PST by molson209 (Blank)
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To: Dilbert San Diego

“Why are Obama and Democrats angry at Boehner and the GOP for inviting Netanyahu to address Congress?”

Because nothing, NOTHING is to be done without going through Obama’s oligarchy first, so they can stop it if need be.


12 posted on 02/09/2015 8:24:10 AM PST by cotton1706 (ThisRepublic.net)
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To: ClearCase_guy

I agree. The Jewish People’s very existence is on the line here and he wants to rearrange wording so as to not come across confrontational?

FUBO and everyone who voted for you!


13 posted on 02/09/2015 8:24:40 AM PST by Roman_War_Criminal
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To: Dilbert San Diego
Obama does not recognize the other branches of government. I think he's made that quite clear. He's in charge. He has a pen and a phone, and Netanyahu is welcome if Obama invited him, but not otherwise.

In short: Obama thinks Congress overstepped itself, and does not recognize it's place in the order of things.

14 posted on 02/09/2015 8:25:17 AM PST by ClearCase_guy (The dog days are over /The dog days are done/Can you hear the horses? /'Cause here they come)
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To: Dave346
While Imam Obama is doing everything in his power to defeat Bibi's reelection.

LIARS: BIDEN, KERRY MEET BIBI’S OPPONENT IN MUNICH

The Imam scolds Republicans for meddling in foreign elections while he sends his stooges, on & off the taxpayer payroll, to do just that.

15 posted on 02/09/2015 8:25:48 AM PST by TexasCajun
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To: Dave346

Do not bend, Bibi. America has your back, even if Valerie doesn’t.


16 posted on 02/09/2015 8:26:12 AM PST by SoFloFreeper
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To: Roman_War_Criminal

Obama must have made an existential threat to Israel.


17 posted on 02/09/2015 8:33:15 AM PST by AU72
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To: Dave346

Dude needs to toss the finger at Obama and change the speech to DOUBLE DOWN.


18 posted on 02/09/2015 8:33:49 AM PST by Lazamataz (With friends like Boehner, we don't need Democrats. -- Laz A. Mataz, 2015)
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To: ClearCase_guy
Your #3 says it succinctly. This is nothing more than a filler article by Reuters based on agenda, speculation and very little substance.

Anonymous “Israeli officials are considering…” blah, blah.

Of all people, Netanyahu fully understands Israel's current
“bilateral relationship with the United States”
to the extent it includes O and the snubbing Dems, will only lead to numerous smoking holes in Israel’s landscape.

The one meaningful fact from the article: “Officials in Netanyahu's office said…his schedule had not changed.”

19 posted on 02/09/2015 8:37:17 AM PST by frog in a pot (Will their Long March end with the ballot box or with the federal judiciary?)
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To: Dave346

If he backs down, he will have both sides calling for his head and he will insure his own defeat in the March election IMO.


20 posted on 02/09/2015 8:38:04 AM PST by Truth29
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