The Appalling Reaction of Obama Democrats to Netanyahu’s Speech

The boycotting of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech  to a joint session of Congress by dozens of Democratic members was appalling.  The ostensible reason for the rudeness was that the Israeli leader accepted an invitation from the House of Representatives that wasn’t first cleared with the White House.  Yet, it’s hard to believe that a perceived slight of protocol was the real reason that so many Democrats, led by Vice President Joe Biden, were not in attendance.  Was their loyalty to the President’s apparent insistence on making a deal – any deal - in nuclear talks with Iran the actual explanation?

[As a matter of fact, there is no requirement or custom dictating that a co-equal branch of government receive the blessing of another before extending an invitation to a guest speaker or foreign leader.]

Consider this for a moment:  Iran’s leaders have promised repeatedly to destroy Israel.  It is that country – certainly more than the U.S. – which is threatened by its arch enemy’s possession of nuclear weapons.

To paraphrase the Prime Minister’s remarks to Congress, if Iran has a nuclear bomb, it poses a security risk to America.  But for Israel, it means its survival is at stake.

Israel’s circumstances must have compelled its leader to risk the Obama Administration’s displeasure by speaking to Congress and, hence, the American public directly.  One can only conclude that the White House has previously left the clear impression with Mr. Netanyahu that his country’s continuing existence is not a paramount concern in negotiations with  Tehran’s Mullahs.

One would have thought that Israel’s record as a staunch ally would have made it a partner in any deal proposed by the U.S.  Plainly, it has not been.

So by what sense of perverted loyalty do some Democrat’s criticize the Prime Minister for trying to sway American policy by stiffening Obama’s spine?