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Benjamin Netanyahu in the US: 11 quotes that reveal why American-Israeli relations are at an all-time low Benjamin Netanyahu in the US: 11 quotes that reveal why American-Israeli relations are at an all-time low
(2 months later)
The political and strategic relationship between the US and Israel is one that goes back decades and which seen Washington unwaveringly provide aid, arms and political support over the decades.The political and strategic relationship between the US and Israel is one that goes back decades and which seen Washington unwaveringly provide aid, arms and political support over the decades.
But the relationship between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which was never warm, has chilled even more after the Israeli leader was invited to speak before the Congress.But the relationship between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which was never warm, has chilled even more after the Israeli leader was invited to speak before the Congress.
The White House said the invitation issued earlier this year by Republican House Speaker John Boehner was made without consulting the president. Officials are furious that the Republicans are giving Mr Netanyahu a platform to criticise the president's strategy for dealing with Iran and declining to impose new sanctions on Tehran.The White House said the invitation issued earlier this year by Republican House Speaker John Boehner was made without consulting the president. Officials are furious that the Republicans are giving Mr Netanyahu a platform to criticise the president's strategy for dealing with Iran and declining to impose new sanctions on Tehran.
As the tension has grown, there has been lots and lots of talk about the fall-out. Often, it has been the comments from those claiming that nothing is wrong that have been the most powerful:As the tension has grown, there has been lots and lots of talk about the fall-out. Often, it has been the comments from those claiming that nothing is wrong that have been the most powerful:
Unidentified US officialUnidentified US official
"There are things you simply don’t do. He spat in our face publicly and that’s no way to behave. Netanyahu ought to remember that President Obama has a year and a half left to his presidency, and that there will be a price,” the official tells Haaretz 23 January 2015."There are things you simply don’t do. He spat in our face publicly and that’s no way to behave. Netanyahu ought to remember that President Obama has a year and a half left to his presidency, and that there will be a price,” the official tells Haaretz 23 January 2015.
Unidentified State Department OfficialUnidentified State Department Official
  
“The bilateral relationship is unshakable, but playing politics with that relationship could blunt Secretary Kerry's enthusiasm for being Israel's primary defender,” official tells CNN 24 January 2015.“The bilateral relationship is unshakable, but playing politics with that relationship could blunt Secretary Kerry's enthusiasm for being Israel's primary defender,” official tells CNN 24 January 2015.
“I have no regrets whatsoever that I have acted in a way to advance my country’s interests,” Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer, who coordinated the visit, tells the New York Times 28 January 2015.“I have no regrets whatsoever that I have acted in a way to advance my country’s interests,” Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer, who coordinated the visit, tells the New York Times 28 January 2015.
Susan RiceSusan Rice
“[The decision to travel to Washington and deliver the speech] has injected a degree of partisanship, which is not only unfortunate, I think it’s destructive of the fabric of the relationship,” National Security Adviser Susan Rice tells PBS 25 February 2015.“[The decision to travel to Washington and deliver the speech] has injected a degree of partisanship, which is not only unfortunate, I think it’s destructive of the fabric of the relationship,” National Security Adviser Susan Rice tells PBS 25 February 2015.
Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin Netanyahu
“When the issue at hand is our very existence, what is expected of a prime minister? Should he bow down and accept the danger for the sake of a relationship,” Mr Netanyahu tells Kol Barama radio station 27 February 2015.“When the issue at hand is our very existence, what is expected of a prime minister? Should he bow down and accept the danger for the sake of a relationship,” Mr Netanyahu tells Kol Barama radio station 27 February 2015.
Ephraim SnehEphraim Sneh
“We don’t differ with the government on the demands [on Iran], but we totally reject how Bibi is handling it. Bibi sacrificed good relations with the U.S. to keep the status quo on the Palestinians. He poked the [Obama] Administration in the eye on settlements just to appease right-wingers," former Israeli cabinet minister Ephraim Sneh tells the Daily Beast 1 March 2015“We don’t differ with the government on the demands [on Iran], but we totally reject how Bibi is handling it. Bibi sacrificed good relations with the U.S. to keep the status quo on the Palestinians. He poked the [Obama] Administration in the eye on settlements just to appease right-wingers," former Israeli cabinet minister Ephraim Sneh tells the Daily Beast 1 March 2015
John KerryJohn Kerry
“The prime minister of Israel is welcome to speak in the United States, obviously. But we don't want to see this turned into some great political football,” Secretary of State John Kerry tells ABC News 1 March 2015.“The prime minister of Israel is welcome to speak in the United States, obviously. But we don't want to see this turned into some great political football,” Secretary of State John Kerry tells ABC News 1 March 2015.
Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin Netanyahu
“I’m going to Washington on a fateful, even historic, mission. I feel that I am an emissary of all Israel's citizens, even those who do not agree with me, and of the entire Jewish people,” Mr Netanyahu says, as he leaves Ben Gurion airport on 1 March 2015.“I’m going to Washington on a fateful, even historic, mission. I feel that I am an emissary of all Israel's citizens, even those who do not agree with me, and of the entire Jewish people,” Mr Netanyahu says, as he leaves Ben Gurion airport on 1 March 2015.
Samantha PowerSamantha Power
The US's UN Ambassador Samantha Power helped organise the briefing
“The US-Israel partnership transcends politics and it always will,“ Samantha Power, the US Ambassador to the UN, says at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee meeting on 2 March 2015.“The US-Israel partnership transcends politics and it always will,“ Samantha Power, the US Ambassador to the UN, says at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee meeting on 2 March 2015.
Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin Netanyahu
”I have great respect for both President Obama and the office that he holds,” Mr Netanyahu tells the same meeting on March 2 2015.”I have great respect for both President Obama and the office that he holds,” Mr Netanyahu tells the same meeting on March 2 2015.
Barack ObamaBarack Obama
“Netanyahu made all sorts of claims. This was going to be a terrible deal. This was going to result in Iran getting 50 billion dollars worth of relief. Iran would not abide by the agreement. None of that has come true,” President Barack Obama tells Reuters hours after the AIPAC meeting 2 March 2015.“Netanyahu made all sorts of claims. This was going to be a terrible deal. This was going to result in Iran getting 50 billion dollars worth of relief. Iran would not abide by the agreement. None of that has come true,” President Barack Obama tells Reuters hours after the AIPAC meeting 2 March 2015.