American Democrats and Republican's Benefit of Their Cade Netanyahu

American Democrats and Republicans are taking advantage of inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before Congress, says a former US Senate Foreign Policy analyst.

“I think both Republicans and Democrats are trying to make use of this invitation in a way that is most to their electoral benefit, in a way there is nothing particularly unusual about this,” said James George Jatras on Monday.

“I think we can safely say that there is a lot of politics going on here both on the Israeli side and on the American side,” he stated.

“Clearly Mr. Netanyahu is coming here to enhance his electoral prospects within Israel and probably is doing so somewhat successfully in terms of his domestic politics,” he said, adding “at the same time both Republicans and Democrats are playing politics here at home.”

House Speaker John Boehner invited Netanyahu last week to speak before a joint congressional session on March 3.

He extended the invitation hours after President Barack Obama threatened to veto any Iran sanctions legislation during his State of the Union address.

Meanwhile, Democratic Representative Adam Schiff has harshly criticized a decision to invite Netanyahu, describing it as a “terrible mistake.”

"I think for us to extend an invitation two weeks before the Israeli election gives Israelis the impression we're trying to meddle in their politics,” he said.

“I also find it extraordinary that a world leader would be invited before the Congress effectively to lobby in favor of a bill that the president opposes," Schiff said.




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