Delaware’s congressional delegation is responding to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech in the nation’s capital Tuesday.
Netanyahu criticized an emerging deal between the West and Iran over its nuclear program; while negotiators have until the end of the month to finalize an agreement, some details have emerged, including halting Iran’s nuclear activity for 10 years in exchange for easing sanctions.
Delaware’s lone Congressman John Carney (D-Delaware) says while he he did not think it was appropriate for House Republicans to invite Netanyahu to Washington without the approval of the White House, he thinks the prime minister gave a “strong” speech.
Still, he adds that diplomacy with Iran should take priority.
“I think the question is how we prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, how we preserve and protect Israel and other nations in the region, and protect U.S. national security in the region through some sort of an agreement,” Carney says.
Carney addressed the partisan divide head on, saying he places more fault on House Speaker on John Boehner rather than Netanyahu, who he says was acting in his nation’s interest.
“We haven’t seen the nature of the deal yet, and I think that’s the question,” Carney says. “I think it’s unfortunate that it’s been politicized to the degree it has because it’s so important, because it’s such a serious threat, because it’s an issue around which there has generally been bipartisan support for Israel.”
In a statement, Delaware’s junior Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware) said while he shared some of Netanyahu’s concerns over the ongoing negotiations, he would “withhold judgment until they are complete.”
Delaware’s senior senator Tom Carper (D-Delaware) joined some other congressional Democrats in not attending Netanyahu’s speech.