White House Lashes Back after Netanyahu Speech

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Applause and criticism greeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before a controversial appearance in Congress.

More than 50 Democrats stayed away, some because of upcoming elections in Israel and others because they felt Republican leaders snubbed the White House by inviting the prime minister without any notice.

President Barack Obama reportedly didn't even watch the speech, which didn't help the rocky relationship between the two leaders. But the prime minister took the high road, opening with praise for the president.

"Some of what the president has done for Israel might never be known because it touches on some of the most sensitive and strategic issues that arise between an American president and an Israeli prime minister. But I know it, and I will always be grateful to President Obama for that support," Netanyahu said.

The main tension deals with Iran's nuclear program. In leading the negotiations, the U.S. is pushing to downgrade but not eliminate Iran's ability to produce nuclear weapons. Netanyahu told Congress it's the wrong strategy.

"This deal has two major concessions: one, leaving Iran with a vast nuclear program and two, lifting the restrictions on that program in about a decade. That's why this deal is so bad," Netanyahu said.

"According to the deal, not a single nuclear facility would be demolished. Thousands of centrifuges used to enrich uranium would be left spinning. Thousands more would be temporarily disconnected, but not destroyed," he said.

The White House has repeatedly said it wants a nuclear-free Iran. But it thinks negotiations are the way to go. Yet at this point, even White House officials admit a deal with Iran is 50/50 at best.

After the speech, the president questioned a lack of solutions on Netanyahu's part.

"On the core issue, which is how do we prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, which would make it far more dangerous and would give it scope for even greater action in the region, the prime minister didn't offer any viable alternatives," Obama said.

Add to the speech White House concern that Congress might pass additional sanctions against Iran. The negotiations are at a sensitive stage and this strong argument couldn't come at a worse time for deal makers.

"If anyone thinks -- if anyone thinks this deal kicks the can down the road, think again," Netanyahu said. "When we get down that road, we'll face a much more dangerous Iran, a Middle East littered with nuclear bombs and a countdown to a potential nuclear nightmare."

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, says the president's role of pacifist-in-chief is chiefly to blame for Israel's situation.

Asked if he believes Obama dislikes Netanyahu and is antagonistic toward Israel, Cruz responded, "undoubtedly."

"It is heartbreaking," he said. "This administration has been the most hostile U.S. administration to Israel in the history of our country."

Cruz also had harsh words for Democrats who didn't show up for the speech.

"No friend of Israel would boycott a speech by the elected leader of Israel, particularly at a time of enormous peril," he said.

Those words, "enormous peril," are echoed by Netanyahu. Jewish people remember the Holocaust and Netanyahu is determined never to let anything like that happen again.

"I can guarantee you this. The days when the Jewish people remained passive in the face of genocidal enemies, those days are over," Netanyahu said. "I can promise you one more thing: Even if Israel has to stand alone, Israel will stand."
 
"But I know that Israel does not stand alone," he said. "I know that America stands with Israel."