Saying he is on “a fateful, even historic mission,” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on his way to America to address a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday over concerns about a nuclear deal with Iran.
The prime minister took to Twitter to announce his departure, adding that he is “deeply and genuinely concerned for the security of all Israelis” — words that mimicked comments Netanyahu shared with the press before boarding his flight.
I am leaving for Washington on a fateful, even historic mission. I am the emissary of all Israelis, even those who disagree with me.
— בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 1, 2015
I am deeply and genuinely concerned for the security of all Israelis, for the fate of the nation, and for the fate of our people.
— בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 1, 2015
I will do my utmost to ensure our future.
— בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 1, 2015
Until Sunday, the White House was playing the trip in a far different light, with National Security Adviser Susan Rice last week describing Netanyahu’s effort as “destructive.”
That stance might be softening though — at least publicly. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday told ABC’s “This Week” the White House just didn’t want Netanyahu’s visit s “turned into some great political football.”
According to CBS News, Netanyahu is looking for any deal with Iran to end that country’s nuclear program entirely, although President Obama “appears to be willing to leave some nuclear activity intact, backed by safeguards that Iran is not trying to develop a weapon.”
The next two days will prove to be dramatic.
A number of Democratic lawmakers are expected to skip Tuesday’s joint session, and Netanyahu turned down a request from Senate Democrats to meet privately with them before the speech.
And while he may get the cold shoulder from Democrats, social media users where quick to show the prime minister that the American people see things in a whole different light. Here is a sampling of the responses, as seen on Twitter:
@netanyahu Godspeed! Can’t wait till you are on US soil!
— Naomi Narvaiz (@nytxnn) March 1, 2015
@netanyahu you are welcome here. The vast majority of the US government no longer represents the will of the people. Please remember this.
— Ralph Provance (@ralphprovance) March 1, 2015
@netanyahu safe trip, God bless, and know we Americans love our best friend in the region, even if our president doesn’t.
— Craig Swinson (@CraigSwinson) March 1, 2015
@netanyahu Godspeed Mr. Prime Minister & looking forward to hearing your speech before the U.S. Congress.
— e.b. cook (@e_b_cook) March 1, 2015
@netanyahu @jonlen1 … Thank you Sir for “Standing on the Wall” for mankind, when our @BarackObama won’t ~Nehemiah 4:13-14 & Genesis 12:3
— Ish Payne (@ishpayne) March 1, 2015
@netanyahu Praying for you, especially when you speak in front of my government of which I am disappointed in.
— Gracie (@Gracie_Grace2) March 1, 2015
@netanyahu Our nation welcomes you, even if the SOCIALIST Obama and his minions don’t!
— Leon Puissegur (@leonpui_) March 1, 2015
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The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.
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