Benjamin Netanyahu Insists ‘Sacred Duty’ To Give Speech to Congress
Image by getty images
Speaking to a group of American Jewish leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his intention to address Congress next month, despite calls for him to cancel the speech.
In a speech Monday night to a delegation from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Netanyahu said the March 3 address to a joint session of Congress is a crucial opportunity to try to halt Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.
The speech has generated controversy, as Netanyahu opposes a possible agreement between the U.S., world powers and Iran regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The speech also comes two weeks before Israeli elections.
“I’m going to Washington because as Prime Minister of Israel, it’s my obligation to do everything in my power to prevent the conclusion of a bad deal that could threaten the survival of the State of Israel,” he said. “The current proposal to Iran would endanger Israel.”
Netanyahu called Congress the “world’s most important parliament” and said a speech could influence the body, which may be able to block an agreement with Iran. The prime minister added that he is making the speech March 3 because the deadline set by the negotiating parties comes three weeks later, on March 24.
“Now, can I guarantee that my speech in Congress will prevent a dangerous deal with Iran from being signed?” he said. “Honestly, I don’t know. No one knows. But I do know this – it’s my sacred duty as Prime Minister of Israel to make Israel’s case.”
Earlier Monday, Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, chairman of the right-wing religious Zionist Jewish Home party, received loud applause from the delegation when he vowed to oppose territorial compromise.
“We don’t want war, but the only way to prevent war is to be overwhelmingly strong and to use that power when necessary,” he said. “Never, ever again will we hand over one centimeter of land to our enemies, period.”
The delegation of U.S. leaders is in Israel until Thursday, and will also hear from otherIsraeli politicians, such as the left-wing Zionist Camp’s Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
