The Prospect Of Netanyahu’s Speech Flutters The Dovecotes

The brouhaha, the despair, the panic, in some circles over the prospect that Netanyahu will indeed honor his initial acceptance of Speaker Boehner’s invitation to address the House Of Representatives is passing strange. Why,l for example, if they claim it will be a “disaster” are members of the Israeli opposition so opposed to Netanyahu appearing to give his speech. If it turns out to be a “disaster” won’t that be the best way to assure Netanyahu’s defeat when elections are held in Israel just a few weeks later? Shouldn’t the Israeli left be delighted that Netanyahu will, by speaking, cause his own defeat?

And why is Obama, and his Administration, doing everything it can to prevent Netanyahu from appearing? Could it be because he is lucid, cogent, and can speak about the Iranian nuclear project in a way that cannot be denied, in a way that Obama and Kerry and others in the Administration are unable to express, or even to allow themselves to think?

And what about the argument that the Iranians have apparently fed Wendy Sherman, former social worker and  the chief American negotiator with the Iranaisn) and to John Kerry, too, that allowing Netanyahu to speak would “spoil the atmosphere” for a possible deal. Why shouldn’t the Iranians be put on notice that Congress is not going to rubber-stamp some deal, and that Netanyahu has an audience in Washington, and in the country, that the Iranians will have to take into account as they consider the possibilites of future even more severe sanctions? Would the  climate for negotiations  be better if the Obama Administration managed to force Netanyahu into staying home and not giving a speech, or would it encourage the Iranians to think that they can, when they push for it, get what they want, get even Congress to fold?

The palpable resentment of Obama, who cannot stand Netanyahu’s self-assurance and his commmand of the matter, is on display now, and will be even if Netanyahu cancels. So why not give it what it deserves, that is, no never mind.