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Netanyahu, in Speech to Congress, Criticizes ‘Bad Deal’ on Iran Nuclear Program Netanyahu, in Speech to Congress, Criticizes ‘Bad Deal’ on Iran Nuclear Program
(about 2 hours later)
WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel used one of the most prominent platforms in the world on Tuesday to warn against what he called a “bad deal” being negotiated with Iran to freeze its nuclear program, culminating a drama that has roiled Israeli-American relations for weeks. WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel used one of the most prominent platforms in the world on Tuesday to warn against what he called a “bad deal” being negotiated with Iran to freeze its nuclear program, brining to a culmination a drama that has roiled Israeli-American relations for weeks.
In an implicit challenge to President Obama, Mr. Netanyahu told a joint meeting of Congress that Iran’s “tentacles of terror” were already clutching Israel and that failing to stop Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons “could well threaten the survival of my country.” The deal Mr. Obama seeks will not prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, he said, but “will all but guarantee” it.In an implicit challenge to President Obama, Mr. Netanyahu told a joint meeting of Congress that Iran’s “tentacles of terror” were already clutching Israel and that failing to stop Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons “could well threaten the survival of my country.” The deal Mr. Obama seeks will not prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, he said, but “will all but guarantee” it.
“We must all stand together to stop Iran’s march of conquest, subjugation and terror,” Mr. Netanyahu told the lawmakers, who responded with repeated standing ovations.“We must all stand together to stop Iran’s march of conquest, subjugation and terror,” Mr. Netanyahu told the lawmakers, who responded with repeated standing ovations.
Less than two hours later, Mr. Obama sharply rebutted Mr. Netanyahu before he attended a meeting with the new defense secretary, Ash Carter. Mr. Obama offered a vigorous defense of the deal he has proposed to Iran and argued that the Israeli leader’s speech was “nothing new” with no other credible approach. Less than two hours later, Mr. Obama sharply rebutted Mr. Netanyahu’s speech before he attended a meeting with the new defense secretary, Ashton B. Carter. Mr. Obama offered a vigorous defense of the deal he has proposed to Iran and argued that the Israeli leader’s speech was “nothing new” and offered no other credible approach.
“The prime minister didn’t offer any viable alternative,” Mr. Obama said. He added: “The alternative the prime minister offers is no deal, in which case Iran will immediately begin once again to pursue a nuclear program, accelerate its nuclear program, without us having any insight into what they’re doing and without constraints.”“The prime minister didn’t offer any viable alternative,” Mr. Obama said. He added: “The alternative the prime minister offers is no deal, in which case Iran will immediately begin once again to pursue a nuclear program, accelerate its nuclear program, without us having any insight into what they’re doing and without constraints.”
Mr. Netanyahu’s address, by far the most anticipated speech to Congress by a foreign leader in many years, has generated resentment and reinforcement from different quarters while driving a partisan wedge between Democrats and Republicans. While he was escorted to the rostrum by a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers and greeted with raucous enthusiasm, especially by Republicans, more than 50 Democrats skipped the event. Mr. Netanyahu’s address, by far the most anticipated speech to Congress by a foreign leader in many years, has generated resentment and support from different quarters while driving a wedge between Democrats and Republicans. While the Israeli leader was escorted to the rostrum by a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers and greeted with raucous enthusiasm, especially by Republicans, more than 50 Democrats skipped the event.
Mr. Netanyahu tried to defuse some of the political edge that preceded his arrival by praising Mr. Obama for all he has done to support Israel. Mr. Netanyahu cited several instances when he called the president for help, such as seeking more missile interceptors during Israel’s military operations against Hamas. “I will always be grateful to President Obama for that support,” Mr. Netanyahu told lawmakers. Mr. Netanyahu tried to defuse some of the political tension that preceded his arrival by praising Mr. Obama for all he has done to support Israel. Mr. Netanyahu cited several instances when he had called the president for help, such as seeking more missile interceptors during Israel’s military operations against Hamas. “I will always be grateful to President Obama for that support,” Mr. Netanyahu told lawmakers.
And he repeated a comment he made elsewhere on Monday lamenting the furor that surrounded his visit. “I deeply regret that some perceive my being here as political,” he said. “That was never my intention. I want to thank you Democrats and Republicans for your common support for Israel, year after year, decade after decade.” And he repeated a comment he made elsewhere on Monday lamenting the furor that had surrounded his visit. “I deeply regret that some perceive my being here as political,” he said. “That was never my intention. I want to thank you Democrats and Republicans for your common support for Israel, year after year, decade after decade.”
But he did not succeed in mollifying all Democrats. Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the party’s House leader, appeared agitated on the floor during the speech and later issued a statement saying she “was near tears” because she was “saddened by the insult to the intelligence of the United States” and “the condescension toward our knowledge of the threat posed by Iran.”But he did not succeed in mollifying all Democrats. Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the party’s House leader, appeared agitated on the floor during the speech and later issued a statement saying she “was near tears” because she was “saddened by the insult to the intelligence of the United States” and “the condescension toward our knowledge of the threat posed by Iran.”
He argued that Iran remains as radical and untrustworthy as ever, even though it and the United States are effectively on the same side in battling the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. “This regime will always be an enemy of America,” Mr. Netanyahu said. “Don’t be fooled. The battle between Iran and ISIS doesn’t turn Iran into a friend of America. Iran and ISIS are competing for the crown of militant Islam.” Mr. Netanyahu argued that Iran remained as radical and untrustworthy as ever, even though it and the United States were effectively on the same side in battling the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. “This regime will always be an enemy of America,” Mr. Netanyahu said. “Don’t be fooled. The battle between Iran and ISIS doesn’t turn Iran into a friend of America. Iran and ISIS are competing for the crown of militant Islam.”
Sitting in the packed gallery of the House chamber were Elie Wiesel, the Holocaust survivor and Nobel peace laureate; Sheldon G. Adelson, the Republican casino magnate and one of Mr. Netanyahu’s prime backers; and Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House. Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. was out of the country, so standing next to Speaker John A. Boehner behind the Israeli prime minister was Senator Orrin G. Hatch, the Utah Republican who serves as president pro tempore of the Senate. Sitting in the packed gallery of the House chamber were Elie Wiesel, the Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner; Sheldon G. Adelson, the Republican casino magnate and one of Mr. Netanyahu’s main backers; and Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House. Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. was out of the country, so standing next to Speaker John A. Boehner behind the Israeli prime minister was Senator Orrin G. Hatch, the Utah Republican who serves as president pro tempore of the Senate.
For Mr. Netanyahu, the stakes could hardly be higher. Coming just two weeks before Israeli elections, the speech offered an opportunity to build support at home for another term while rallying opposition abroad to a diplomatic accord that he sees as a threat to his country’s security.For Mr. Netanyahu, the stakes could hardly be higher. Coming just two weeks before Israeli elections, the speech offered an opportunity to build support at home for another term while rallying opposition abroad to a diplomatic accord that he sees as a threat to his country’s security.
Before the address, Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, predicted that it would be “the most important speech of his political life.”Before the address, Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, predicted that it would be “the most important speech of his political life.”
For Mr. Obama, however, it was an extra complication as he seeks to draw Iran into a pact by late March, a complication he worries may embolden lawmakers into intervening.For Mr. Obama, however, it was an extra complication as he seeks to draw Iran into a pact by late March, a complication he worries may embolden lawmakers into intervening.
“I’m less concerned, frankly, with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s commentary than I am with Congress taking actions that might undermine the talks before they’re complete,” he told Reuters on Monday.“I’m less concerned, frankly, with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s commentary than I am with Congress taking actions that might undermine the talks before they’re complete,” he told Reuters on Monday.
In a bit of counterprogramming, the White House announced on Tuesday morning that at 11:30 a.m., at the same time Mr. Netanyahu would be speaking, Mr. Obama planned to hold a conference call with European leaders to discuss Ukraine and other security issues. In a bit of counterprogramming, the White House announced on Tuesday morning that at 11:30 a.m., while Mr. Netanyahu would be speaking, Mr. Obama planned to hold a conference call with European leaders to discuss Ukraine and other security issues.
At the heart of the dispute between Mr. Obama and Mr. Netanyahu is a debate over the best way to curb Iran’s nuclear program. The United States, along with European allies, Russia and China, has been negotiating a potential deal in which Iran for at least 10 years would restrict the number of centrifuges it has for enriching uranium and open its program to international inspection. At the heart of the dispute between Mr. Obama and Mr. Netanyahu is a debate over the best way to curb Iran’s nuclear program. The United States, along with European allies, Russia and China, has been negotiating a potential deal in which Iran would agree to restrict the number of centrifuges it has for enriching uranium for at least 10 years and to open its program to international inspection.
The goal would be to limit Iran’s capacity so that it would take at least a year to build a nuclear weapon should it choose to violate or break the agreement. In theory, that would give the West enough time to respond. In exchange, international sanctions that have hampered Iran’s economy would be eased. The goal would be to limit Iran’s capacity so that it would take at least a year to build a nuclear weapon should it choose to violate or break the agreement. In theory, that would give the West enough time to respond. In exchange, international sanctions on Iran’s economy would be eased.
Mr. Netanyahu argued that Iran cannot be trusted given its history of cheating and hostile statements about Israel. The deal contemplated by the American-led negotiations would give away far too much, he contended. Instead, Mr. Netanyahu advocated demanding that Iran give up all uranium enrichment. Mr. Netanyahu argued that Iran could not be trusted, saying it had a history of cheating and hostile statements about Israel. The deal being contemplated would give away far too much, he contended. Instead, Mr. Netanyahu advocated demanding that Iran give up all uranium enrichment.
The speech came even as Secretary of State John Kerry and Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian foreign minister, continued their talks in Switzerland. In comments published on Wednesday in the Iranian news media, Mr. Zarif bluntly rejected the conditions Mr. Obama outlined. The speech came even as Secretary of State John Kerry and Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian foreign minister, continued their talks in Switzerland. In comments published on Wednesday in the Iranian news media, Mr. Zarif bluntly rejected the conditions Mr. Obama outlined for Iran’s nuclear program, which officials have insisted is only for civilian uses.
“Iran will not accept excessive and illogical demands,” Mr. Zarif was quoted as saying. “It is clear that Obama’s comments are meant to win the U.S. public opinion and counter the propaganda campaign by the Israeli prime minister.”“Iran will not accept excessive and illogical demands,” Mr. Zarif was quoted as saying. “It is clear that Obama’s comments are meant to win the U.S. public opinion and counter the propaganda campaign by the Israeli prime minister.”
But in separate if sparse public comments in Montreux, Switzerland, Mr. Zarif was more conciliatory. “We’re trying, we’re trying,” he responded to a shouted question about how the negotiations were going.But in separate if sparse public comments in Montreux, Switzerland, Mr. Zarif was more conciliatory. “We’re trying, we’re trying,” he responded to a shouted question about how the negotiations were going.
In Israel, where Mr. Netanyahu’s speech to Congress has proved no less contentious than in America, political analysts praised his rhetorical skills. But they said it was unclear whether the speech would have any impact on the future of Iran’s nuclear program, or whether it would help or hinder Mr. Netanyahu’s chances of being re-elected to a third consecutive term in the March 17 elections.
“There was nothing really new here for Israelis,” said Gadi Wolfsfeld, a professor of political communications at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel. “On the one hand you have people getting up and cheering in Congress, and on the other people here are asking whether it was worth causing such damage” to Israel’s relations with the Obama administration.
All of Israel’s major television channels broadcast the speech, but with a five-minute delay mandated by the Israeli Central Elections Committee to give local news editors time to block out any sections that could be construed as violating Israel’s strict election propaganda laws. Nothing was censored.
Shelly Yacimovich of the Zionist Union said that Mr. Netanyahu had spoken to Congress in more subdued tones than usual, a sign, she said, that he was aware of the need to minimize the diplomatic damage he had caused.
Isaac Herzog, the Zionist Union leader who is challenging Mr. Netanyahu for the premiership, gave a speech that was timed to air after Mr. Netanyahu’s address, and that he delivered, symbolically, in an Israeli community in southern Israel near the troubled border with Gaza.
“There is no doubt that Netanyahu knows how to give speeches,” Mr. Herzog said. But the speech in Congress, he said, “will not stop Iran going nuclear.”
Mr. Herzog said the speech had delivered “a harsh blow to American-Israeli relations,” adding, “Only through cooperation with the United States can we stop the Iranian nuclear program.”
Mr. Obama and his team said they shared Mr. Netanyahu’s concerns, but considered his approach unrealistic.Mr. Obama and his team said they shared Mr. Netanyahu’s concerns, but considered his approach unrealistic.
Simply insisting that Iran forgo enrichment altogether “is not a viable negotiating position,” Susan E. Rice, the president’s national security adviser, told the Aipac conference on Monday evening. And military strikes often favored by hawks would only temporarily set back Iran’s program, she said. Simply insisting that Iran forgo enrichment altogether “is not a viable negotiating position,” said Susan E. Rice, the president’s national security adviser, at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference on Monday evening. And military strikes, often favored by hawks, would only temporarily set back Iran’s program, she said.
“We cannot let a totally unachievable ideal stand in the way of a good deal,” she said.“We cannot let a totally unachievable ideal stand in the way of a good deal,” she said.
Ms. Rice vowed to hold out for a truly verifiable pact. “Our approach is distrust and verify,” she said, in a twist on a phrase made famous by President Ronald Reagan during negotiations with the Soviet Union. And she reassured Israel of Mr. Obama’s support. “We have Israel’s back, come hell or high water,” she said. Ms. Rice vowed to hold out for a verifiable pact. “Our approach is distrust and verify,” she said, in a twist on a phrase made famous by President Ronald Reagan during negotiations with the Soviet Union. And she reassured Israel of Mr. Obama’s support. “We have Israel’s back, come hell or high water,” she said.
Mr. Netanyahu’s speech divided American lawmakers. Mr. Boehner invited the Israeli leader without consulting the White House, seeing Mr. Netanyahu as a forceful voice challenging Mr. Obama’s foreign policy. Mr. Netanyahu’s speech divided American lawmakers. Mr. Boehner had invited the Israeli leader without consulting the White House, seeing Mr. Netanyahu as a forceful voice challenging Mr. Obama’s foreign policy.
“This is an important message at an important time, and the prime minister is the perfect person to deliver it,” Mr. Boehner said in a video previewing the event released on Tuesday morning. “This is an important message at an important time, and the prime minister is the perfect person to deliver it,” Mr. Boehner said in a video released on Tuesday morning.
Democrats bristled at what they saw as a partisan maneuver, and at least 55 House and Senate Democrats planned to skip the address, according to the newspaper The Hill.Democrats bristled at what they saw as a partisan maneuver, and at least 55 House and Senate Democrats planned to skip the address, according to the newspaper The Hill.
Few congressional appearances by foreign leaders have generated such controversy. Mr. Netanyahu had addressed Congress twice before, in 1996 and 2011, without such a ruckus, and his speech on Tuesday was the eighth time an Israeli leader has spoken to the House and Senate together.Few congressional appearances by foreign leaders have generated such controversy. Mr. Netanyahu had addressed Congress twice before, in 1996 and 2011, without such a ruckus, and his speech on Tuesday was the eighth time an Israeli leader has spoken to the House and Senate together.
The only other foreign leader to have spoken to Congress three times was Winston Churchill, the British prime minister during and after World War II. In honor of that, Mr. Boehner planned to present Mr. Netanyahu with a bust of Churchill.The only other foreign leader to have spoken to Congress three times was Winston Churchill, the British prime minister during and after World War II. In honor of that, Mr. Boehner planned to present Mr. Netanyahu with a bust of Churchill.
The flap has raised Mr. Netanyahu’s profile in the United States, but he remains a polarizing figure. Early last month, Gallup, the survey firm, found that 45 percent of Americans have a positive view of him, a 10-point jump since a similar poll in 2012, compared with 24 percent who view him unfavorably. But the views broke down sharply along party lines, with Republicans favoring Mr. Netanyahu three to one and Democrats evenly split. The flap has raised Mr. Netanyahu’s profile in the United States, but he remains a polarizing figure. Early last month, Gallup, the survey firm, found that 45 percent of Americans had a positive view of him, a 10-point jump since a similar poll in 2012, compared with 24 percent who viewed him unfavorably. But the views broke down sharply along party lines, with Republicans favoring Mr. Netanyahu three to one and Democrats evenly split.
In a separate poll by The Wall Street Journal and NBC News late last month, 48 percent of voters disapproved of inviting Mr. Netanyahu to address Congress without checking with the White House first, compared with 30 percent who approved.In a separate poll by The Wall Street Journal and NBC News late last month, 48 percent of voters disapproved of inviting Mr. Netanyahu to address Congress without checking with the White House first, compared with 30 percent who approved.
The speech became a hot ticket. Mr. Boehner’s office reported that demand for seats in the galley were the highest since he became speaker in 2011. Interest was so overwhelming that both the House and Senate set up alternative viewing locations. The speech became a hot ticket. Mr. Boehner’s office reported that demand for gallery seats were the highest since he became speaker in 2011. Interest was so overwhelming that both the House and Senate set up alternative viewing locations.
One person not clamoring to see the address, either in person or on television, was Mr. Obama. Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said on Monday, “I doubt that he will spend his whole time watching the speech.”One person not clamoring to see the address, either in person or on television, was Mr. Obama. Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said on Monday, “I doubt that he will spend his whole time watching the speech.”