So Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to an invitation by Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner to address congress. Noses immediately got bent out of shape. An awkward pall came over Washington.
President Obama not surprisingly promptly indicated that he would not attend because it would interfere with Israeli elections. Total hypocrisy. This past week, the Washington Free Beacon and Investors Business Daily reported that members of Obama’s own campaign team sent an army of operatives, including 2012 Field Director Jeremy Bird, to Israel to help oust Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Interestingly the polls in Israel have moved in Netanyahu’s direction since the Obama attacks began.
Joe Biden and John Kerry also discovered ambiguous schedules and may not attend. Obama has also has refused to meet with Netanyahu and Kerry has refused as well. Susan Rice of Benghazi video fame declared the upcoming speech destructive.
Several other democrats including congressman (d) John Lewis are declining to attend or on the fence.
Many Jews even in Israel are opposed to the speech largely in fear that it will further strain and deteriorate relations between Israel and the US. I disagree.
First, the topic is too important to avoid. Iran getting access to nuclear weapons is an existential threat to Israel and will likely trigger a nuclear arms race in the region and who will stop the other regional players if you can’t stop Iran. For someone like POTUS who has preached nuclear non-proliferation it will be a disastrous mistake. Additionally, the messianic regime in Tehran is likely not going to stop with Israel. Regional hegemony will ensue. Jordan, Saudi Arabia and others will be intimidated into compliance or risk being destroyed.
Second, the forum of addressing congress will make the arguments against a bad treaty and expose it in the most public way. The notoriety will add to it. Ultimately it will cause Obama to very publicly own the treaty.
Third, Obama as a lame duck president is likely to do his worst to Israel regardless of the speech. He has demonstrated over his term and a half as president that he despises Netanyahu and has little regard for Israel and the Jewish people. His time in Reverend Wrights church attests to his mind set, remaining a loyal member for twenty odd years.
Last but not least is the treaty he is trying to effect with Iran. Much of it has been publicized but regardless one would have to be a fool to believe that Iran after having gone through this much time, cost and sanctions would give it up. Iran’s hatred and contempt of the United States continues to be expressed by the regime in the most public way. Obama is delusional in that he thinks he can tame them.
For many Jews it conjures up the old dark joke ‘two Jews are facing a firing squad and one curses the nazi’s who are about to shoot them. The other Jew responds “don’t make trouble. You’ll only make them angrier”.
At this point Netanyahu should give the speech and we should all support him to the fullest.