Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Biden, top Democrats may skip Netanyahu speech before Congress

"No one in the Senate has been a better friend to Israel than Joe Biden. I would have never joined this ticket were I not absolutely sure Barack Obama shared my passion."
~Joe Biden, 2008 Vice Presidential debate
(JPost) A number of senior Democrats, chief among them Vice President Joe Biden, may skip Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress next month, the online newsmagazine Politico reported on Wednesday.

The absence of Democratic lawmakers from the chamber during Netanyahu’s address would be an expression of protest by the party against what they perceive as a slight by the Israeli premier against President Barack Obama.

Netanyahu intends to use the speech to muster Congressional support for more sanctions against Iran, something which the Obama administration vehemently opposes since it would likely sabotage ongoing negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program.