Obama to Snub Netanyahu During Israeli Leader’s DC Visit

[oberliner]

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won’t meet when the Israeli leader is in Washington to address a pro-Israel group and speak to Congress because of the looming elections in Israel, the White House said.

Netanyahu plans to speak at the annual American Israeli Public Affairs Committee during the first week in March and will address Congress on March 3, the Israeli government said Thursday. Elections in Israel are set for March 17.

“As a matter of long-standing practice and principle, we do not see heads of state or candidates in close proximity to their elections, so as to avoid the appearance of influencing a democratic election in a foreign country,” Bernadette Meehan, spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council, said in an e-mail.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2015-01-22/obama-to-snub-netanyahu-during-israeli-leader-s-dc-visit

[bravenak]

1. I don't see it as a snub. Just reality.

[leftynyc]

2. If this is longstanding policy

how is it a snub?

[jberryhill]

3. Kind of slanted headline, givent that Obama was "snubbed" on the invite given by Congress

Congress invited him and he accepted, absent any knowledge or participation by the White House.

This is Congress' party, and Obama wasn't invited.

[HappyMe]

4. Not a "snub" at all.

[Vattel]

5. seems reasonable not to meet just before an election. so there is no snub.

[BlueCaliDem]

6. Not a snub. Just common courtesy and respect for the democratic process. eom

[Cleita]

8. Good.

Netanyahu needs to be sitting in a dock at The Hague.

[earthside]

11. I'm in favor of 'snub'.

Netanyahu has been one of Israel's worst leaders.
He has been difficult and uncooperative with U.S. policy and towards Pres. Obama.

To top it all off, he and his right-wing, apocalyptic Christian pals in the Congress seem to be agitating for a U.S. war with Iran.

No thanks.

A 'snub' is what Bibi deserves.

[tularetom]

13. I'd have felt better if the president came out and said "I have nothing to discuss with him"

What they did was kind of a passive snub and the lame explanation by the white house enables Netanyahu to save a bit of face with his voters.

[geek tragedy]

9. Obama is not his campaign prop.

Congress is, but Congress is generally worthless on foreign policy.

[jwirr]

10. Very good point but it may backfire. The voters may vote for netanyahu because they think that

we are insulting him. It is the other way around IMO.

[geek tragedy]

12. There is no sign Netanyahu asked to meet with

Obama or Biden.

[razorman]

18. I was wondering about that. I had not heard anything about Netanyahu

requesting a meeting. So, I doubt that he is bothered by the snub. President Obama should just ignore him. By reacting as they have been, the president's team is showing that they are letting Bibi and the R's in congress bother them.

[C_U_L8R]

14. No. The GOP is groveling.

And kissing Beebee's big fat butt.

This republican congress is for sale.

[libdem4life]

15. How can it be a snub if Obama didn't invite him?.

I think it makes Netanyahu look silly, but he's a politician so, oh well.

[Ferd Berfel]

16. Obama Should Send James Taylor to Bibi's Hotel Room

to sing......... "I'm A Steam Roller Baby"




Your Welcome

[closeupready]

17. Netanyahu has ZERO interest in negotiating for peace with Palestinians, so

this is fine with me, snubbing him.