In the wake of Benjamin Netanyahu's successful speech before a thunderously applauding Congress Tuesday, one Democrat lawmaker is pushing back on the Israeli prime minister, saying he is responsible for harming U.S.-Israel ties,
The Hill reported.
"No single individual has done more harm to the vitally important U.S.-Israeli relationship than Netanyahu," tweeted U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, a Vermont Democrat.
He added: "The Israeli electorate will decide whether to entrust a man with his temperament & judgment to be custodian of US/Israel relationship. With this speech, Netanyahu has made the decision to undermine delicate negotiations over Iran's nuclear program… What is his Plan B to negotiations? Military intervention? If so, he should say so. If not, what?"
While Welch spoke against him, Netanyahu received praise for his forceful clarity, laying out his concerns that any negotiations with Iran on nuclear weapons must be strong and protective of countries like his in the Middle East. He called current details over sanctions "a bad deal,"
CNN said.
Netanyahu noted that he had a profound obligation to speak and said his
intent was not political. He said Iran defies nuclear inspectors and "plays a pretty good game of hide and sheep."
"This deal won't change Iran for the better. It will only change the Middle East for the worse," Netanyahu said.
He added boldly: "Even if Israel has to stand alone, Israel will stand."
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi also pushed back on what she saw as Netanyahu's "condescension" to U.S. lawmakers whom she said fully understand Iran's threat in the region and abroad.
"As one who values the U.S.-Israel relationship, and loves Israel, I was near tears throughout the prime minister's speech – saddened by the insult to the intelligence of the United States as part of the P5+1 nations, and saddened by the condescension toward our knowledge of the threat posed by Iran and our broader commitment to preventing nuclear proliferation,"
Pelosi said in a statement.
"Today, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated something we all agree upon: a nuclear armed Iran is unacceptable to both our countries," the California lawmaker said.
"We have all said that a bad deal is worse than no deal, and stopping the spread of nuclear weapons is the bedrock of our foreign policy and national security. As President Obama has said consistently, all options are on the table for preventing a nuclear-armed Iran."
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