Speaking on Monday, President Obama confirmed “very real differences” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the question of Iran sanctions, saying it makes no sense to sabotage talks just a month or two before they are finished.
Netanyahu is planning to address Congress, demanding the sanctions be immediate, and has been insisting repeatedly that any deal with Iran is an “existential” threat to Israel.
Obama is insisting that he doesn’t intend to meet with Netanyahu during the visit, but not because of the disagreement, rather saying he only doesn’t want to meet any leader so close to that nation’s general elections.
Rumors have been circulating that Netanyahu might change the format of the talks, either moving them behind closed doors or relocating them from Congress to AIPAC, though he is denying these, and insisting he has to make the speech to convince Congress to prevent the deal.
He should have said 'there are very real differences with netenyahoo, period.'
Obviously for a head of one state to ignore and disrespect another, and try to undermine their goverance policies, is an offensive act (of desperation) and seeds stumbling blocks.
I wonder who should the POTUS serve, Israel or America?
For our governments Israel is a political and military beachhead in that part of the world. It has nothing to do with sympathy for the people of Israel. It has always been about the oil in the region. The relationship of the two governments has always been weird. Today it is one of reciprocal blackmail and Netanyahu's planned visit shows that he is a much better blackmailer than our president.
Obama still has the option to designate the Israeli PM as "persona non grata" – claim it was an administrative error and the designation will be lifted as soon as they can..right after the Israeli election.