Posted on 02/09/2015 4:40:45 PM PST by Libloather
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday doubled down on his intention to speak to a joint session of Congress next month, despite criticism from Democrats who say they will boycott the event.
Netanyahu said he fully intended to make the speech and that he will use the moment to criticize negotiations the Obama administration is holding with Iran, which he argues are endangering Israel.
"A bad deal with Iran is forming in Munich that will endanger Israel's existence," Netanyahu said at an event for his Likud Party, according to The Associated Press. "Therefore, I am determined to go to Washington and present Israel's position before the members of Congress and the American people."
Netanyahu downplayed differences between the U.S. and Israel, arguing that there have "always been essential differences between Israel and the U.S." and that "relations have remained sound."
"This will be the case this time as well," he said, according to Haaretz.
"This is not a political issue or a party issue, neither here nor there. This is an existential issue, and I approach it with the fullest responsibility."
Two more Democrats on Monday said they would skip Netanyahu's address, bringing the total number to 9. Vice President Biden is also not planning on attend and has blamed a scheduling conflict.
Some of the Democrats boycotting the event argue it is meant to undercut President Obama and that it is inappropriate for Netanyahu to be delivering the address just two weeks before Israeli elections.
They have also faulted Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) for inviting Netanyahu to come, arguing it was done without the White House's knowledge and that this was a breach of protocol.
Netanyahu in a message on Twitter said he wasn't worried about protocol.
“At the time that there are people involved in protocol of politics, it’s establishing a bad agreement with Iran that will endanger the existence of Israel,” Netanyahu said on Twitter. “My duty is to do everything in order to stop it.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doesn’t back down from defending Israel!
GOOD-—Best thing I’ve seen all day.
Screw the democrats.
Good!!!
Thank you, Mr. Netenyahu, for alerting the American public to the dangers of the Obama administration’s doings. I am glad you care about the country you grew up in as well as for your own.
A boycott might be the final eye-opener for the majority of American Jews still stupid enough to vote for Democrats.
If the Democrats think snubbing Bibi is helping the opposition in Israel they are sadly mistaken. This goes beyond disagreeing with someone’s political ideology. This is a snub of a head of state. Imagine if this was being done to the president in Israel?
The head of the Israeli government has courage. The head of the American government is a boob.
Boehner needs to leave Bidens seat empty.
Let the people see.
I'm tired of this one way debate this country has been having as long as I can remember.
COME !
Excellent!
Nobody respects a weak leader. Good for him.
The readers will have the opportunity to view the spinner's spin on Bibi's presentations...
What is truth ?? ??
“A bad deal with Iran is forming in Munich . . . “
________________________
He’s being ironic (sarcastic), right? The deal isn’t actually being made in Munich. Right?
I’m praying for his safety
Color me cynical (I hate being this way), but I don't think it will affect enough American Jews who still vote democrat. It's like asking them to cut off a limb, it's so deeply rooted in their psyche and the tentacles reach down so deep in the way they think. It would be like one day waking up and suddenly realizing everything you knew and believed was a lie and the only way something like that would sink in is if the person actually cared enough about finding truth. Imagine though, what a shock that would be.
I love the way he is playing this. His critics are are on a lower political level. The PM is at a much higher level fighting for his country’s right to exist. Love it!
Munich Security Conference.
John Kerry met there with Obama’s choice for Israel PM, Isaac Herzog.
And yes, I think Munich was chosen as the place to endorse Iran’s nukes in an effort to taunt Jews.
I wish we had a President as honorable as P.M. Netanyahu. If Obama was one tenth the man Netanyahu is I would be happy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.