This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-31685220
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Netanyahu heads to US for contested Congress Iran speech | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is on his way to the US to argue his case against a possible nuclear deal with Iran. | Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is on his way to the US to argue his case against a possible nuclear deal with Iran. |
Mr Netanyahu says the deal would be inadequate to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb. | Mr Netanyahu says the deal would be inadequate to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb. |
He is due to give a speech in Congress on Tuesday which was not agreed in advance with the Obama administration, angering the White House. | He is due to give a speech in Congress on Tuesday which was not agreed in advance with the Obama administration, angering the White House. |
The speech comes two weeks before Israeli elections, with his Likud party under pressure in domestic polls. | The speech comes two weeks before Israeli elections, with his Likud party under pressure in domestic polls. |
The US and other powers - the so-called P5+1 - are negotiating with Iran on its nuclear programme. | The US and other powers - the so-called P5+1 - are negotiating with Iran on its nuclear programme. |
They want a framework agreement by the end of the month which addresses concerns that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons technology, something Tehran denies. | They want a framework agreement by the end of the month which addresses concerns that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons technology, something Tehran denies. |
'Political football' | 'Political football' |
Before getting on the plane for Washington, Mr Netanyahu described his trip as a "fateful and even historic mission". | Before getting on the plane for Washington, Mr Netanyahu described his trip as a "fateful and even historic mission". |
"I feel deep and genuine concern for the security of all the people of Israel," he said. "I will do everything in my ability to secure our future." | "I feel deep and genuine concern for the security of all the people of Israel," he said. "I will do everything in my ability to secure our future." |
Mr Netanyahu was invited to speak in Congress by Republican leaders. | Mr Netanyahu was invited to speak in Congress by Republican leaders. |
But the BBC's Barbara Plett-Usher in Washington says the move has angered Democrats, some of whom feel forced to choose between Mr Obama and their desire not to upset Israel. | But the BBC's Barbara Plett-Usher in Washington says the move has angered Democrats, some of whom feel forced to choose between Mr Obama and their desire not to upset Israel. |
Several Democratic members of Congress including Vice-President Joe Biden have said they will not attend the speech. | Several Democratic members of Congress including Vice-President Joe Biden have said they will not attend the speech. |
The Israeli leader is expected to talk about Iran and Islamist militant groups. | The Israeli leader is expected to talk about Iran and Islamist militant groups. |
But US Secretary of State John Kerry said he hoped the speech would not turn into "some great political football". | But US Secretary of State John Kerry said he hoped the speech would not turn into "some great political football". |
However, he told ABC's This Week programme that Mr Netanyahu was "welcome to speak in the United States, obviously". | However, he told ABC's This Week programme that Mr Netanyahu was "welcome to speak in the United States, obviously". |
Meanwhile Iranian presidential spokesman Hamid Abutalebi said the speech would further distance Israel from its allies and "finally will benefit Iran". | Meanwhile Iranian presidential spokesman Hamid Abutalebi said the speech would further distance Israel from its allies and "finally will benefit Iran". |
Quoted by Iran's Fars news agency, he said world opinion wanted to hear a message of peace and security. | Quoted by Iran's Fars news agency, he said world opinion wanted to hear a message of peace and security. |
"This message comes from Iran peace-seeking negotiations... and not from Netanyahu's words at the Congress," he added. | "This message comes from Iran peace-seeking negotiations... and not from Netanyahu's words at the Congress," he added. |
US President Barack Obama does not plan to meet Mr Netanyahu next week. | US President Barack Obama does not plan to meet Mr Netanyahu next week. |
The White House cited the "long-standing practice" of not meeting government leaders close to elections, which Israel will hold in mid-March. | The White House cited the "long-standing practice" of not meeting government leaders close to elections, which Israel will hold in mid-March. |
Mr Netanyahu is fighting a tough election against the Labour Party's Yitzhak Herzog, who has focused on the prime minister's cooler relations with Mr Obama. | Mr Netanyahu is fighting a tough election against the Labour Party's Yitzhak Herzog, who has focused on the prime minister's cooler relations with Mr Obama. |