Washington – Unwelcome Mat: White House Tries To Counter Netanyahu Visit

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    FILE - In this Oct. 1, 2014 file photo, President Barack Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.  (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)Washington – In what is becoming an increasingly nasty grudge match, the White House is mulling ways to undercut Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming trip to Washington and blunt his message that a potential nuclear deal with Iran is bad for Israel and the world.

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    There are limits. Administration officials have discarded the idea of President Barack Obama himself giving an Iran-related address to rebut the two speeches Netanyahu is to deliver during his early March visit. But other options remain on the table.

    Among them: a presidential interview with a prominent journalist known for coverage of the rift between Obama and Netanyahu, multiple Sunday show television appearances by senior national security aides and a pointed snub of America’s leading pro-Israel lobby, which is holding its annual meeting while Netanyahu is in Washington, according to the officials.

    The administration has already ruled out meetings between Netanyahu and Obama, saying it would be inappropriate for the two to meet so close to Israel’s March 17 elections. But the White House is now doubling down on a cold-shoulder strategy, including dispatching Cabinet members out of the country and sending a lower-ranking official than normal to represent the administration at the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the officials said.

    Vice President Joe Biden will be away, his absence behind Netanyahu conspicuous in coverage of the speech to Congress. Other options were described by officials, who spoke only on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal deliberations.

    Netanyahu’s plan for a March 3 address to a joint meeting of Congress has further strained already tense ties between the U.S. and Israel. Congressional Republicans orchestrated Netanyahu’s visit without consulting the White House or State Department, a move the Obama administration blasted as a break in diplomatic protocol. Some Democratic lawmakers say they will boycott the speech.

    U.S. officials believe Netanyahu’s trip to Washington is aimed primarily at derailing a nuclear deal with Iran, Obama’s signature foreign policy objective. While Netanyahu has long been skeptical of the negotiations, his opposition has increased over what he sees as Obama’s willingness to make concessions that would leave Iran on the brink of being able to build a nuclear weapon. His opposition has intensified as negotiations go into overdrive with an end-of-March deadline for a framework deal.

    “I think this is a bad agreement that is dangerous for the state of Israel, and not just for it,” Netanyahu said Thursday.

    The difference of opinion over the deal has become unusually rancorous.

    The White House and State Department have both publicly accused Israeli officials of leaking “cherry-picked” details of the negotiations to try to discredit the administration. And, in extraordinary admissions this past week, the administration acknowledged that the U.S. is withholding sensitive details of the talks from Israel, its main Middle East ally, to prevent such leaks.

    The rebukes have only emboldened the leader of Israel, whose country Iran has threatened to annihilate. He has a double-barrel attack on the Iran talks ready for when he arrives in Washington. Not only will he address Congress, he will also deliver similar remarks at the AIPAC conference, an event to which administrations past and present have traditionally sent top foreign policy officials.

    But maybe not this year.

    An AIPAC official said Friday that the group has not yet received any reply to its invitation for senior administration figures to attend the meeting that starts March 1. The official stressed that last-minute RSVPs are not unusual, but the White House has been signaling for some time that a Cabinet-level guest may not be coming.

    Instead, the administration is toying with the idea of sending newly installed Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken to speak to the conference, according to officials familiar with internal discussions on the matter. But it’s possible Treasury Secretary Jack Lew could attend.

    Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry, who have both previously addressed AIPAC, will be out of the country on foreign travel that appears to have been arranged to make them unavailable to speak. Biden will be visiting Uruguay and Guatemala on a trip that was announced after Netanyahu’s speech was scheduled, while the State Department announced abruptly this past week that Kerry will be traveling to as-yet-determined destinations for the duration of the AIPAC conference.

    Obama spoke to AIPAC in 2012, while he was in the midst of his re-election campaign.


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    60 Comments
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    9 years ago

    The Obama administration has finally come to their senses. They have continuously tried to speak to Bibi normally, but that heedless youth named Bibi will only understand language such as this. But of course that guy will address the Congress, no matter if majority Americans are dead against him.

    9 years ago

    Bibi as a Jew i beg you, stay where you are!!!

    elyeh
    Noble Member
    elyeh
    9 years ago

    Are Obama and the Democratic Party revealing that they are soneh y’srael ?

    Reb Yid
    Reb Yid
    9 years ago

    Maybe AIPAC should boycott the administration. We don’t want your representative to talk to us.

    Boochie
    Boochie
    9 years ago

    Now that Obama is a lame duck hour is showing his true colors

    9 years ago

    This reminds all Yidden of how during the height of the Shoah, another democrat president named Roosevelt refused to meet with a contigent of some of the 400 Rabbonim who marched on Washington DC. Time for the Yidden to leave en mass this anti Semitic party.

    BogusMilsky
    BogusMilsky
    9 years ago

    POTUS is a sore looser. His presidency foreign policy, domestic policy has all the same success and markings of every street in the USA named after him and MLK

    mr613
    mr613
    9 years ago

    Every major jewish organization, jewish newspapers and magazines should be there to cover Netanyahu’s
    Speech and any house and senate member missing should be called to task!
    This administration is in be d with Iran!
    Wake up people we have to show anyone who sided with Iran and the islamofacist that we will shine the spotlight on them!
    How can we support a president that talks and negotiates with a rouge nation that openly calls for the destruction of Eretz Hakodesh?

    9 years ago

    Bibi stay in the borders you love so much, and leave Americans alone!

    Bored_Commentator
    Bored_Commentator
    9 years ago

    Anonymous = ayinglefunadorf = alterg = Obama Troll. No other explanation possible.

    rhillel
    rhillel
    9 years ago

    Its against protocol for a President to make a deal with a country to become nuclear. Its against protocol to make concessions in a deal that you don’t have to. Its against protocol to ease sanctions that have brought an enemy to its knees and then give them everything that they wanted. Its against protocol to endager Israel’s security with annihilation. Its against protocol for the Black Caucus to take a strong stand against Israel the only refuge the Jews have when most countries persecute them while the Blacks complain 24 seven that they don’t get a fair shake. Its against protocol when Senators back up a President just because he’s their party even though his platform is destructive. Its against protocol for a President and Vice to use Israel to get elected then abuse it afterwards. Its against protocol to not keep Israel abreast of negotiations with its most dangerous enemy. Its against protocol to negotiate secretly about something that affects Israel more than any other country. Protocol. What a joke! Shame on some of your comments here.

    HeshyEkes
    HeshyEkes
    9 years ago

    How blind can some of you be? Do you think that if Bohner & Netanyahu would have asked Obama about addressing Congress he would have replied in the affirmative? Netanyahu must speak directly to the American public and the members of Congress & warn them about Iran. I’s the only chance we have, “Ahl Pee Derech Tevah” to stop Iran from developing Nuclear bombs.

    Bored_Commentator
    Bored_Commentator
    9 years ago

    Obviously, Anonymous, ayinglefunadorf, and alterg would love to see Iran bomb Israel out of existence. Problem is, they have threatened to also destroy America, so maybe they should get out fast to Mexico.

    Yaakov2
    Yaakov2
    9 years ago

    Kol Hakavod to Bibi for being strong and standing up against the Islamist apologist in Washington.

    As an Islamist apologist, he wants nothing more than for Iran to succeed in it’s plans to Nuke Israel, Chas Vesholom.

    9 years ago

    As a conservative i am about 98% against Obama”s policies BUT in this case i am not saying he is right but whats 100% sure is, that Bibi acts like a moron and its not a benefit for no jew on earth.
    2nd can anybody of the Bibi lovers here explain how after every terror attack in the world this moron scream that every jew should come to isreal Lets put in side that in isreal is the most common place for attacks rockets from hamas etc. But if he is smart don’t he think a minute how angry a world leader gets after he have an attack in his country and their job is to came out to the public and make sure that they will do the most in their possibility to make sure that every one is safe and then comes this stupid guy and say that everyone should come to isreal.
    In my opinion if he is not a bad guy then he have a lack of attantion

    BarryLS1
    BarryLS1
    9 years ago

    This is typical Obama. He always tries to discredit anyone who disagrees with him. Most of the Arab States happen to agree with Netanyahu that Iran is a threat to everyone and that they don’t trust the deal that Obama is working on either.

    So, how do the fools in here, who support Obama despite the harm he causes Israel, explain the Arabs who side with Netanyahu on this issue and not Obama?

    Incidentally, those Arabs State in question, were all considered by the U.S. to be allies. Obama is just turning the screws on them too. Somebody who really cares about the future of the country doesn’t alienate all its friends. That should tell you something about Obama’s motivations, unless you’re too dense to see it. The only beneficiaries of Obama’s efforts are the most radical within Islam.

    RebbeDoo
    RebbeDoo
    9 years ago

    Looking at all the comments here and assuming you’re all jews – I’m shocked by some of the comments against Bibi’s visit. Not because I believe you should be a fan of Bibi but because this is about Bibi Vs. Obama! Stop being blinded by the lopsided media, open your mind and take a step back. How can anyone, specifically jews, agree with the Obama administration on the deals they’re going for with oran that would leave Iran on the brink of nuclear weapons capabilities?! Obama is a moron, Iran cannot be trusted and Netanyahu is coming upon invitation.

    To all who believe Bibi shouldn’t come to the US – please explain, according to the bigger picture (say your vision of the next 3-5 years), who will be IL PM, US President and will Iran stop their calls to destroy Israel and the USA?

    People – Stop feeding into the biased media and think for yourself!!

    9 years ago

    The Obama Administration will be history, in less than twenty three months. Bibi will still be around at that time, and will be stronger than ever. On Jan. 20, 2017, a new Republican President will be sworn in. Therefore, Bibi and Obama will give each other the cold shoulder, for the next twenty three months. It is an open secret, that personally, they can’t stand each other. Their personal animosity is unprecedented; even Dwight D. Eisenhower, had a more cordial relationship with David Ben-Gurion!

    RebbeDoo
    RebbeDoo
    9 years ago

    Raging Rudy Giuliani Destroys Obama’s Policies on…: http://youtu.be/E0hUtumtQpA

    How much do you disagree!? Just another idiot who wants more fame

    Yaakov2
    Yaakov2
    9 years ago

    For now Bibi should speak his mind to Congress without concern for Obama’s likes or dislikes.

    Apparently Obama does not respect Free Speach, never mind loving America.

    After Bibi is reelected he should refuse to talk to Obama since Obama is now a lame duck.

    Bibi should say it’s inappropriate to speak to a lame duck and he will wait for the next elected president.

    9 years ago

    The overwhelming majority of Americans think that this speech is a bad idea. Regardless of your opinion on the matter, Israel cannot afford to alienate Americans who might otherwise tacitly support them in favor of political stunts designed to placate short-term political interests. By driving a wedge between parties and playing politics, Bibi will only reduce support for Israel in the long run, which will have dire consequences down the road.

    Ask yourself what’s more important: 66%/33% support for Israel, or a politically-driven meaningless speech that nobody will remember in a year from now for 33%/66% support?

    PaulinSaudi
    PaulinSaudi
    9 years ago

    All of this would be fairly amusing if not for the very high stakes.

    Yaakov2
    Yaakov2
    9 years ago

    For now Bibi should speak his mind to Congress without concern for Obama’s likes or dislikes.

    Apparently Obama does not respect Free Speach, never mind loving America.

    After Bibi is reelected he should refuse to talk to Obama since Obama is now a lame duck.

    Bibi should say it’s inappropriate to speak to a lame duck and he will wait for the next elected president.

    Bored_Commentator
    Bored_Commentator
    9 years ago

    What is at issue on this subject is that there are those that do not believe in the saying of the Chachamim, “Lev Melachim Vesarim beyad hashem”. Instead, they believe that Jews and Israeli politicians in particular would do better to blindly obey any non-Jewish person of power, whatever the demands are, than to the Shulchan Aruch which says that if non-Jews so much as appear to threaten a Jewish city, all Jews must arm themselves ON SHABBOS to defend against any possible aggression or loss of Jewish Life. They would rather we give away all of Israel than to protest against blatant danger to the Jewish nation. They believe that Obama, and his administration of dangerous fools, run the entire world, not Hashem. To this point they will ridicule everything holy and true. I wonder why? Does Obama read Vosizneais? They are possibly proud Americans – which I say with a great deal of doubt, because at least on the surface until recently, America has helped Israel and used weapons and might to fight evil and terror, but they are definitely not proud Jews. If we cannot stand up for ourselves and say the truth and believe that Hashem will help us, I assure you America won’t either.

    puppydogs
    puppydogs
    9 years ago

    Rudy said it best “Obama doesn’t like this country” let alone Israel.

    Even Michelle said she isn’t a proud American.

    Do we really need these self hating people in the White House??