Netanyahu Addresses Congress

Netanyahu Addresses Congress
(Washington, D.C.)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used a controversial address to a joint meeting of Congress to mount an unprecedented challenge Tuesday to the Obama administration’s attempts to strike a deal with Iran over its nuclear program, calling it a grave threat to peace in Israel and the world.

“This is a bad deal,” Netanyahu said. “We’re better off without it.”

Netanyahu said he regretted that his speech has been seen by some as political, saying he appreciates all that President Barack Obama has done for Israel. But he said he had an obligation as prime minister to speak out on an issue that poses a threat to the survival of Israel and its people.

“The greatest danger facing our world is the marriage of militant Islam and nuclear weapons,” he said.

Dozens of congressional Democrats skipped Netanyahu’s address.