TPM reports,
“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday turned down an invitation to meet privately with Senate Democrats next week during his visit to Washington, saying the session ‘could compound the misperception of partisanship’ surrounding his trip. …
“‘I regret that the invitation to address the special joint session of Congress has been perceived by some to be political or partisan,’ Netanyahu wrote. ‘I can assure you that my sole intention in accepting it was to voice Israel’s grave concerns about a potential nuclear agreement with Iran that could threaten the survival of my country.’ …
“Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., on Monday invited Netanyahu to meet in a closed-door session with Democrats during his visit. Durbin said, … ‘We offered the Prime Minister an opportunity to balance the politically divisive invitation from Speaker (John) Boehner with a private meeting with Democrats who are committed to keeping the bipartisan support of Israel strong. His refusal … is disappointing to those of us who have stood by Israel for decades.'”
My comment: I don’t see how Netanyahu’s refusal to meet with Democrats can be seen as anything but partisan. Maybe he just doesn’t understand American politics. He doesn’t appear to realize that Republicans are using him for purposes of their own having
nothing to do with Israel’s security.
Netanyahu seems tone-deaf to American politics.
