Netanyahu Basks in Congress Invitation, but May Shake U.S. Ties
In my opinion it’s both cynical and a dangerous precedent to use the US-Israel relationship and alliance to electioneer. It’s my sincere hope that Israel selects a better leader this next election.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to accept an invitation to address the U.S. Congress just days before Israel’s parliamentary election offers him invaluable pre-vote publicity, but may also have shaken the balance of U.S.-Israel ties.
John Boehner, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, issued the invitation without consulting the White House, a breach of protocol since it is normally up to a head of state to invite a foreign leader.
It also does not appear that Netanyahu, a right-winger who has a testy relationship with Barack Obama, let the president know about the invitation before accepting it, underscoring their increasingly tense ties.
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