Obama and Netanyahu both spoke tonight, one in Washington and the other at Bar Ilan University, and the conflict appears more visible than ever.
Netanyahu: "Obama is forming a bad agreement, and I'm going there in order to avoid the agreement."
Obama wondered about the necessity of the visit: "What's the rush?”
Netanyahu and Obama in a direct confrontation: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama spoke tonight (Monday) at the same time in two different events and referred to Netanyahu’s controversial speech in the Congress. Netanyahu, on his part, claimed that the purpose of his trip is to prevent a "bad agreement which will endanger the existence of Israel," while Obama wondered: "what's the rush?".
“A bad agreement with Iran is forming in Munich, one which will endanger the existence of Israel," Netanyahu said in a speech at the launch of the Likud campaign for Russian immigrants. "That is why I am determined to go to Washington and present Israel's position to the members of Congress and the American people."
"Since the establishment of the state (of Israel) until now there where always disagreement on substantive issues between Israel and the US and the relationship remained firm," Netanyahu said. "This time will be no different. This is an existential issue, and in existential issues I see myself as having full responsibility to Israel's security, that is what I would expect from anyone else. "
On the other hand, in a joint press conference with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Obama explained his refusal to meet with Netanyahu during his visit to Washington. "We're used to not meet leaders before the elections in their country", said Obama. "Even if Angela was in a state of two weeks before election’s, she probably would not be receiving an invitation to the White House and she would probably not have such requests either".
"What's the rush?", Wondered Obama, "unless you think it is impossible to reach an agreement with Iran and we should not even consider the possibility of an agreement. I do not think so (that it is not a possibility) because, as President of the US I have also examined what would happen if we do not reach a diplomatic solution."
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Obama Cites "Very Real Differences" to Excuse Netanyahu Snub
Read more at http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/29572/obama-implies-netanyahu-line-upcoming-speech-jerusalem/#bM8WgdO4emsPv3Q5.99
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Obama Cites "Very Real Differences" to Excuse Netanyahu Snub
Read more at http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/29572/obama-implies-netanyahu-line-upcoming-speech-jerusalem/#bM8WgdO4emsPv3Q5.99
In yet another blow, US President Barack Obama said Monday that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have “very real differences” when it comes to the issue of a nuclear Iran and publicly signaled his displeasure over Netanyahu’s upcoming speech.
During a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington, the president explained that he and other world leaders all agree that increasing sanctions on Tehran does not make sense, a position Netanyahu vehemently opposes. “I don’t want to be coy,” Obama stated. “The prime minister and I have a very real difference around Iran, around sanctions.” The president said that he, Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron all agree “that it does not make sense to sour the negotiations to a month or two before they’re about to be complete. And we should play that out.”
Obama argued for striving to reach a deal with Iran on its nuclear program. If any deal falls through, the president said he would be “the first to work” with Congress to impose sanctions on Iran, which he characterized as “narrow” and “not attractive.” “But what’s the rush? Unless your view is that it’s not possible to get a deal with Iran and it shouldn’t even be tested. And that I cannot agree with,” said Obama.
“From the perspective of US interests, and I believe from the perspective of Israel’s interests, although I can’t speak obviously for the Israeli government, it is far better if we can get a diplomatic solution,” he continued. “So there are real differences substantively, but that’s separate and apart from the whole issue of Mr. Netanyahu coming to Washington.” Obama defended his decision to not meet with Netanyahu during his upcoming trip to Washington. Netanyahu is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress regarding Iran’s nuclear program shortly before Israeli elections.
The president implied that the prime minister was out of line.
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