Israeli Prime Minister Makes Controversial Speech to U.S. Congress (Mar. 3): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Congress in an effort to sway the Obama administration against negotiating with Iran. Netanyahu calls the negotiations to get Iran to freeze its nuclear program "a bad deal." In his speech, he says the deal that the Obama administration wants "could well threaten the survival of my country" because it will not prevent Iran from having and using nuclear weapons. To the contrary, he says, the deal "will all but guarantee" nuclear arms in Iran. During his speech, Netanyahu receives repeated standing ovations and is greeted by bipartisan members despite the fact that more than 50 democrats are not in attendance. Netanyahu's speech is the biggest and most controversial by any foreign leader in years due to the subject matter, and the fact that Congress invited him without consulting the Obama administration, a move that has created tension with the White House. The speech is seen by many as an effort by Republicans to undermine Obama's foreign policy. Netanyahu's appearance comes just two weeks before Israeli elections. President Obama does not meet with Netanyahu during the prime minister's visit.
