America
No ‘disrespect’ meant to Obama: Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his
speech to Congress scheduled for Tuesday is not meant to signal any
"disrespect" for US President Barack Obama but he feels "a moral
obligation" to warn lawmakers of the dangers of cutting a deal with Iran
over its nuclear programme.
The White House and Netanyahu, however, appeared far apart on how to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Netanyahu's speech will coincide with a new round of talks in Geneva between Iran and six world powers led by the US.
In his speech Tuesday, Netanyahu is expected to say that it was not enough.
"America
is the strongest power in the world. Israel is strong, but it's much
more vulnerable," he said on Monday at the annual policy conference of
the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), The Washington
Post reported.
"American leaders worry about the security of
their country. Israeli leaders worry about the survival of their
country," he added.
Netanyahu arrived as feelings smoldered among
liberal Democrats, some American Jewish groups and White House
officials because of his decision to accept an invitation from House
Speaker John A. Boehner to address Congress without coordinating with or
notifying the administration in advance.
"My speech is not
intended to show any disrespect to President Obama or the esteemed
office that he holds. I have great respect for both," Netanyahu said.
"Disagreements
between allies are only natural," he added, brushing aside unusually
open criticism between administration officials and the Israeli prime
minister.
On Monday, Netanyahu defended his decision to accept
Boehner's invitation but said he did not seek to inject partisanship
into US-Israeli relations.
"Israel has always been a bipartisan issue," he said. "Israel should always remain a bipartisan issue."
He insisted that he wanted to warn that an international nuclear deal with Iran could "threaten the survival of Israel".
Netanyahu
said he wanted to make his case before Congress, where there is
bipartisan lgislation that would impose additional sanctions on Iran.
However,
Obama, urged lawmakers to put aside such efforts while negotiations
were in progress, adding that he would veto the bill.
Israel must not only defend itself militarily but also stand up for itself on the world stage, Netanyahu told AIPAC.
"We have a voice," he said. "Tomorrow, as prime minister of the one and only Jewish state, I plan to use that voice," he added.