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Benjamin Netanyahu's 2015 address to the United States Congress

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Benjamin Netanyahu's 2015 address to the United States Congress
DateMarch 3, 2015 (2015-03-03)
Time11 am (EST)
Duration0:43:00
VenueUnited States Capitol
LocationWashington D.C., United States
ThemeNuclear program of Iran

On March 3, 2015, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech before a joint session of the United States Congress. Netanyahu warned that any nuclear agreement with Iran would pose a threat to the United States and to international security.[1]

He had accepted an invitation extended on January 21, 2015, by Speaker of the House John Boehner.[2] Netanyahu thus became the second foreign leader to address a joint session of the United States Congress on three separate occasions. The speech focused primarily on Iran's nuclear program, which was the subject of ongoing negotiations between the United States and other world powers aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for the easing of sanctions.

External videos
video icon Remarks by Benjamin Netanyahu at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) morning session, March 2, 2015, C-SPAN
video icon Netanyahu address to joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, March 3, 2015, C-SPAN

Israeli officials expressed strong concerns over the potential agreement, warning that a nuclear-armed Iran could trigger a regional arms race and arguing that the Iranian leadership was too irrational to be deterred by conventional notions of cost and benefit.[3] Originally scheduled for February 11,[4] the speech was postponed to March 3, two weeks before Israel's legislative elections. The rescheduling was reportedly intended to allow Prime Minister Netanyahu to attend the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in Washington, D.C.[5]

The White House criticized the handling of the invitation, stating it was notified just shortly before the announcement was made.[6] The incident was considered a departure from traditional diplomatic protocol.[7]

During his visit, Netanyahu did not meet with President Barack Obama. The U.S. administration cited its long-standing policy of avoiding meetings with foreign leaders close to their national elections.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Netanyahu warns US Congress of Iran's 'march of terror'". 3 March 2015.
  2. ^ Zengerle, Patricia; Rampton, Roberta (22 January 2015). "U.S. Congress invites Netanyahu for Iran speech, Obama blindsided". Reuters.
  3. ^ Merom, GIL (2017). "Israeli Perceptions of the Iranian Nuclear Threat". Political Science Quarterly. 132 (1): 87–118. doi:10.1002/polq.12574. JSTOR 45175795.
  4. ^ Burston, Bradley. "Think Netanyahu's Speech Is Really About Iran? Think Again - Haaretz Com - Haaretz.com".
  5. ^ "Netanyahu confirms he'll address Congress 2 weeks before elections". The Times of Israel.
  6. ^ "White House: Netanyahu breached protocol on Congress invite". www.aa.com.tr.
  7. ^ Ravid, Barak. "White House Criticizes Netanyahu's Planned Trip to U.S., Calling It 'Departure From Protocol' - Haaretz Com - Haaretz.com".
  8. ^ Northam, Jackie (9 February 2015). "Obama Defends Decision Not to Meet with Netanyahu During D.C. Visit". NPR.
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