Tuesday morning, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before a joint meeting of Congress, delivering a speech that generated controversy before he even stepped foot in the Capitol.
Brookings experts took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the politics and policy behind the polarizing address, and the prime minister’s stance on Iran’s nuclear program:
On the speech overall:
If one suspends one’s priors, speech was well crafted & delivered. Not an argument to be ignored, even if one disagrees. #NetanyahuSpeech
— Natan Sachs (@natansachs) March 3, 2015
“This seemed like a Republican response to the State of the Union…target of this speech was” Obama, Kerry @JeffreyGoldberg @msnbc
#Bibi
— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) March 3, 2015
Same as my count. RT @Joyce_Karam: So roughly 17 Standing Ovations for #Netanyahu , 9 non standing at US Congress. pic.twitter.com/F2m6JnbVrQ
— Khaled Elgindy (@elgindy_) March 3, 2015
On Iran nuclear negotiations:
Leader of the country with the Middle East’s only nuclear arsenal just referred to threat of a “nuclearized Middle East”. #NetanyahuSpeech
— Khaled Elgindy (@elgindy_) March 3, 2015
Is #NetanyahuSpeech suggesting he agrees w Obama approach of “strategic patience”? Because he pushed no substantive change in approach.
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) March 3, 2015
How does Bibi envision incorporating terrorism, other concerns into decade-old P5+1 process? Not a viable alternative path #NetanyahuSpeech
— Suzanne Maloney (@MaloneySuzanne) March 3, 2015
Paints advocates of deal as naive re: prospects for Iranian moderation… but still provides no credible alternative #NetanyahuSpeech
— Suzanne Maloney (@MaloneySuzanne) March 3, 2015
It’s not really about the terms of the deal, it’s about the rehabilitation of Iran #NetanyahuSpeech
— Suzanne Maloney (@MaloneySuzanne) March 3, 2015
“This regime will always be the enemy of America.” #Bibi #Netanyahu. The heart of dispute: #Obama sees the possibility of regime evolution
— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) March 3, 2015
On American and Israeli politics:
Ex-Mossad chief Meir Dagan: Netanyahu policies = “destructive to future & security of #Israel” http://t.co/8qzh2deX9V pic.twitter.com/fDY0swQpHp
— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) March 3, 2015
#NetanyahuSpeech reminding American congress of Iran’s assaults on American citizens. Don’t worry, we remember.
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) March 3, 2015
Congress giving itself several standing ovations for its support of Israel. #NetanyahuSpeech
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) March 3, 2015
“I will always be grateful to President #Obama for that support.” More from #Bibi #Netanyahu trying to undo political damage among Dems.
— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) March 3, 2015
Wondering how footage of this reception in the House for #Bibi #Netanyahu will be played in his ads for the Israeli election.
— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) March 3, 2015
On watching the speech in Israel:
Israeli viewers will have a 5 minute delay in Netanyahu speech, for elex committee to prevent illegal campaigning. Really.
— Natan Sachs (@natansachs) March 3, 2015
On alliteration and booing:
Haman! Jews traditionally make noise/boos when his name is mentioned. #NetanyahuSpeech
— Natan Sachs (@natansachs) March 3, 2015
Persian potentate. Alliteration!
— Tamara Cofman Wittes (@tcwittes) March 3, 2015
Prior to the speech, Brookings experts also weighed in on the political implications of Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. and the Iran nuclear negotiations:
- Robert Kagan in the Washington Post: At what price Netanyahu?
- Suzanne Maloney in U.S. News and World Report’s Debate Club: A Minimally Sufficient Bargain
- Tamara Wittes: With friends like these: America’s allies in the Middle East create as many problems as they solve
- William Galston: The complex American and Israeli politics of Netanyahu’s address to Congress
Commentary
What Brookings experts said on Twitter about Netanyahu’s speech
March 3, 2015