The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, told Congress on Tuesday Iran poses a threat to the entire world.
“The greatest danger facing our world is the marriage of militant Islam with nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said.
“That is exactly what could happen if the deal being negotiated is accepted by Iran. That deal would not prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons. It would all but guarantee that Iran gets those weapons, lots of them.”
He said the Iran is playing a “deadly ‘Game of Thrones’” and “poses a great threat not only to Israel but also to the peace of the entire world.”
“We must all stand together to stop Iran’s march of conquest, subjugation and terror,” Netanyahu said.
Republicans and Democrats at Odds Over Speech
The Israeli leader was invited to speak to Congress by House Speaker John Boehner. He did not consult Democrats in Congress or the White House prior to the speech.
Democrats complain the speech is inappropriate considering its proximity to the Israel elections, which will be held in two weeks.
The speech was delivered a month before the conclusion of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. Iran is holding talks with the so-called P5+1 world powers in Geneva, Switzerland.
“I was near tears throughout the Prime Minister’s speech – saddened by the insult to the intelligence of the United States as part of the P5 +1 nations, and saddened by the condescension toward our knowledge of the threat posed by Iran and our broader commitment to preventing nuclear proliferation,” Democrat House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said. “We have all said that a bad deal is worse than no deal, and stopping the spread of nuclear weapons is the bedrock of our foreign policy and national security.”
Republicans insist the speech underlines the alleged threat posed by Iran.
“The Prime Minister’s address coincides with an increasingly aggressive Iranian campaign to expand its sphere of influence across the Middle East,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said. “It represents a threat to both our countries. It represents a threat to moderate Sunni allies, and it represents a threat to the international community at large. That’s why Prime Minister Netanyahu is here today.”
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