Netanyahu's Speech

Tomorrow Prime Minister Netanyahu will deliver a speech before Congress. This speech comes two weeks before the Israeli elections. The invitation to speak has brought much contention in American politics for two reasons. In the first place Prime Minister Netanyahu is going to speak on a topic which he disagrees with President Obama. He will be speaking on sanctions on America's enemies, specifically Iran. The second reason for the controversy is that Netanyahu's election is close at hand and as a policy the US government does not like to dabble in other nation's affairs - at least that is the argument.


Netanyahu believes that Iran's government is serious about their rhetoric to destroy Israel and the United States. Thus it would be wrong to allow them to get any advantage by removing sanctions. Iran must be dealt with the same way that the Nazis had to be dealt with; through force. 


President Obama believes that Iran and their leadership is basically misunderstood. If we in the West would stop oppressing them perhaps they would stop attacking us. Thus negotiating is the only way to peace.


Prime Minister Netanyahu is facing major opposition and a tough election from the Labor Party. One of the major problems is that unless the Likud Party retains leadership in the Israeli Parliament, Prime Minister Netanyahu will lose his position. The Labor Party is running a tight race, finding funding from many United State's liberals. Democrats claim that the United States would be endorsing of Netanyahu if he speaks. Many Democrats because of the belief that Speaker Boehner and Prime Minster Netanyahu are attempting to snub the President have announced their resolve to boycott the speech.


Republicans state that President Obama is currently negotiating with Iran and thus Netanyahu's take on the matter is time sensitive. They point out that most Israelis disagree with the Prime Minister's agreement to speak, because of the political infighting that his speech has caused. The Republicans note that the Prime Minister's goal has always been to do what is best for Israel, regardless of the personal consequences. Israel has an important part to play in any decision regarding Iran, Republicans argue, because it is Israel that is most affected and has the least ability to put economic sanctions on Iran.


Freedom's Defenders agrees with the Republican position on this topic. Because of Israel's close proximity to Iran; the fact that Israel will be affected the most by any decision regarding the fate of economic and political sanctions on Iran; and because she is our closest ally and the only democracy in the Middle East, her input should be valued. Because the President is going ahead with the negotiations despite the objections from Congress, Netanyahu should be consulted to give the American people the perspective of our closest ally. 


Unfortunately Netanyahu's agreement to deliver the speech may hurt him politically in Israel. This is a price that he is willing to pay to defend Israel from the danger of Iran. Netanyahu's courage proves once again that he is a man of integrity who has the best interest of his people at heart. We should hear him out and support his effort to protect Israel. 


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