On March 3, 2015, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech before a joint session of the United States Congress. Netanyahu warned that any nuclear agreement with Iran would pose a threat to the United States and to international security.[1]
| Date | March 3, 2015 |
|---|---|
| Time | 11 am (EST) |
| Duration | 0:43:00 |
| Venue | United States Capitol |
| Location | Washington D.C., United States |
| Theme | Nuclear program of Iran |
| Cause | Netanyahu's profound conviction that the evolving P5+1 deal with Iran endangers Israel's survival |
| Motive | Rallying congressional support to oppose the deal and push for tougher sanctions |
| Participants | Benjamin Netanyahu John Boehner Orrin Hatch |
| Outcome | Iran nuclear deal |
He had accepted an invitation extended on January 21, 2015, by House Speaker John Boehner.[2] Netanyahu thus became the second foreign leader to address a joint session of the United States Congress on three occasions. The speech focused primarily on Iran's nuclear program, which was the subject of ongoing negotiations between the United States and other world powers aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for the easing of sanctions.
The Obama administration considered circumventing the executive branch to issue the invitation a gross breach of diplomatic protocol and an infringement on the administration's sovereign authority for the execution of foreign policy.[3]
Israeli officials expressed strong concerns over the potential agreement, warning that a nuclear-armed Iran could trigger a regional arms race and arguing that the Iranian leadership was too irrational to be deterred by conventional notions of cost and benefit.[4] Originally scheduled for February 11,[5] the speech was postponed to March 3, two weeks before Israel's legislative elections. The rescheduling was reportedly intended to allow Prime Minister Netanyahu to attend the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in Washington, D.C.[6]
The White House criticized the handling of the invitation, stating it was notified just shortly before the announcement was made.[7] The incident was considered a departure from traditional diplomatic protocol.[8] On February 21, the Likud party called on politicians to rise above personal and partisan concerns when a serious matter such as the Iranian nuclear programme is on the table.[9] On February 23, two leading Democratic senators, Richard Durbin and Dianne Feinstein, issued an invitation to Netanyahu to a private meeting with Democratic members of the Senate during his scheduled visit to Washington, warning that making US-Israeli relations a partisan issue could cause lasting impacts.[10] Netanyahu turned down the invitation and replied by stating in a letter, 'While I appreciate your kind invitation to meet with Democratic senators, I believe that doing so at this time might complicate the misunderstanding in relation to the upcoming visit.'[11]
During his visit, Netanyahu did not meet with U.S. president Barack Obama. The Obama administration cited its long-standing policy of avoiding meetings with foreign leaders close to their national elections.[12]
Despite the forceful content of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech and the warm reception it received in the Congress, it did not alter the position of the Obama administration. Negotiations continued following the address, and on July 14, 2015, the Iranian nuclear agreement was announced.[13]
Netanyahu began warning of the Iranian danger, which he associated especially with militant Islam. In parallel, he cautioned against Saddam Hussein’s secular Arab nationalist regime in Iraq and North Korea during his periods in power.[14][15][16] He repeatedly highlighted the risk of dangerous weapons reaching terrorist organizations or such groups obtaining advanced technology.[17][18]
Reactions
editIn response to Netanyahu, President Obama stated that the speech had presented nothing new and reaffirmed his commitment to a diplomatic solution.[19]
References
edit- ↑ "Netanyahu warns US Congress of Iran's 'march of terror'". March 3, 2015.
- ↑ Zengerle, Patricia; Rampton, Roberta (January 22, 2015). "U.S. Congress invites Netanyahu for Iran speech, Obama blindsided". Reuters.
- ↑ "Netanyahu row with Obama administration deepens". BBC News. February 25, 2015.
- ↑ Merom, GIL (2017). "Israeli Perceptions of the Iranian Nuclear Threat". Political Science Quarterly. 132 (1): 87–118. doi:10.1002/polq.12574. JSTOR 45175795.
- ↑ Burston, Bradley. "Think Netanyahu's Speech Is Really About Iran? Think Again - Haaretz Com - Haaretz.com". Haaretz.
- ↑ Berman, Lazar (January 22, 2015). "Netanyahu confirms he'll address Congress 2 weeks before elections". The Times of Israel.
- ↑ "White House: Netanyahu breached protocol on Congress invite". www.aa.com.tr.
- ↑ Ravid, Barak. "White House Criticizes Netanyahu's Planned Trip to U.S., Calling It 'Departure From Protocol' - Haaretz Com - Haaretz.com". Haaretz.
- ↑ "Likud Calls on Opposition to Support Netanyahu's Congress Speech - Haaretz Com". Haaretz.
- ↑ Winer, Stuart (February 24, 2015). "Democratic senators invite Netanyahu to meet in DC". The Times of Israel – via www.timesofisrael.com.
- ↑ "Netanyahu won't meet Senate Dems". POLITICO. February 24, 2015.
- ↑ Northam, Jackie (February 9, 2015). "Obama Defends Decision Not to Meet with Netanyahu During D.C. Visit". NPR.
- ↑ Pileggi, Tamar; Beck, Jonathan (July 14, 2015). "Netanyahu calls Iran deal 'historic mistake for world'". The Times of Israel – via www.timesofisrael.com.
- ↑ Mackey, Robert (February 26, 2015). "Kerry Reminds Congress Netanyahu Advised U.S. to Invade Iraq". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
- ↑ "Netanyahu: Iran nuclear deal 'repeats mistakes' made with North Korea | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. April 29, 2015.
- ↑ "In meeting with Japanese prime minister, Netanyahu warns that Iran could be next North Korea | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. January 19, 2015.
- ↑ Fiske, Gavriel (May 19, 2013). "Netanyahu: We'll continue to halt Syrian arms transfers". The Times of Israel – via www.timesofisrael.com.
- ↑ "In Assembly speech, Israel's Netanyahu warns against 'militant Islam'; denounces UN rights council". UN News. September 29, 2014.
- ↑ "Obama says Netanyahu's Iran speech contains 'nothing new'". BBC News. March 4, 2015.