Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech to Congress tomorrow, but not everyone will be welcoming him with open arms. That's because Netanyahu—who aims to urge American lawmakers against striking a nuclear deal with Iran—comes at the invitation of House Speaker John Boehner, without the approval of Democrats or the White House.
It's a move that, at best, could be called a diplomatic faux pas and, at worse, represent a threat to Israeli-U.S. relations. Charles Sennott, co-founder of GlobalPost and head of The GroundTruth Project, joined Boston Public Radio to discuss the reaction to Netanyahu's arrival both in the United States and in Israel.
"There are many Israelis who don't like that Netanyahu has insulted the president by not following protocol, by coming to speak to Congress without being invited by the President of the United States," Sennott said.
"The other side of Israel feels they are sending over their greatest spokesman and most articulate leader to share just how concerned Israel is about the threat Iran poses, and feel they have a White House that is not listening clearly enough to the sound of that threat," Sennott continued.
In advance of the speech, Netanyahu is in Washington today attending the national convention of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a prominent pro-Israel lobbying organization. In his opening remarks, he stressed that his speech tomorrow is "not intended" to disrespect the president. Meanwhile, Secretary of State John Kerry is in Geneva, attempting to lay the foundations for a nuclear deal with Iran before the administration's March 24 deadline.
"The stage is set for the speech tomorrow," Sennott said.
"I think it will be a historic speech. I think it will be an important speech," he continued. "I think Bibi Netanyahu's political life is on the line."
To hear more from Charles Sennott, tune in to his interview on Boston Public Radio above.
