Netanyahu ‘determined to go to Washington’

Netanyahu is “determined to go to Washington.” The prime minister says as much in a conference where he launched the Likud campaign aimed at getting the Russian vote.

His comments put to rest the diplomatic bet-hedging that began following a report in Reuters quoting a source — with reportedly good ties to the Prime Minister’s Office — who said Netanyahu was considering alternatives, such as a speech behind closed doors or making his AIPAC address the centerpiece of his visit.

Netanyahu played the trip as completely independent of the elections, which will take place a mere two weeks after his address to Congress: “There is a bad agreement taking shape in Munich. According to reports, Iran, without violating the agreement, will be able to manufacture dozens of nuclear bombs. As prime minister it is my duty to do everything to prevent this dangerous deal and therefore I’m determined to go to Washington and present my position in Congress.”

Netanyahu also addressed what is portrayed in the media as a major crisis in US-Israel relations. “From the day the state was established there were substantive differences of opinion between Israel and the US, but ties remained strong. This is how it will be this time. This issue is not about party politics or other politics.”