America
Opposition leader urges Netanyahu to cancel speech to US Congress
Tel Aviv, Feb 27
Zionist Union leader Isaac
Herzog Thursday called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to
cancel his planned speech to the US Congress March 3, saying it will
cause "strategic damage" to Israel's ties with the US, Xinhua news
agency reported.
Herzog, who is chairman of the Labor Party,
started his attack against Netanyahu at a press conference held in Tel
Aviv along with Hatnua leader Tzipi Livni. The two merged their parties
into a united list, the Zionist Union, which is the top rival for
Netanyahu's ruling Likud party in the March 17 elections.
Herzog
blamed Netanyahu for irreparably damaging Israel's close ties with the
US, with his decision to speak in front of the Congress with a hardline
stance on nuclear Iran, contrary to the official stand of the US
government.
"I call on Netanyahu again: Stop. Don't Go. You will
cause strategic damage to Israel's standing and to the relationship
with the US," Herzog said.
Netanyahu's speech in front of the
congress is set for March 3, two weeks ahead of the Israeli elections,
and was coordinated by Republican House Speaker John Boehner.
Herzog
attacked Netanyahu for not agreeing to meet with US Senate Democrats in
his trip to Washington, saying the prime minister is "playing politics
inside American poli