Netanyahu's speech aimed to challenge the Iran deal, positioning himself as Israel's security defender.
Netanyahu's speech strained US-Israel relations, highlighting partisan divisions and jeopardizing bipartisan support for Israel.
Deep dives
Content of Netanyahu's Speech to Congress
The podcast episode discusses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial address to a joint session of Congress in 2015. Netanyahu aimed to fight against what he perceived as a dangerous framework deal offered to Iran. He utilized the speech to position himself as the defender of Israeli security and to shift the public debate towards national security amid the upcoming Israeli elections. The speech highlighted Netanyahu's core beliefs about the Iran negotiations.
Impact on US-Israel Relations
The episode delves into the impact of Netanyahu's congressional speech on US-Israel relations. Netanyahu's public opposition to the Iran deal and his public alignment with US Republicans strained the traditionally bipartisan support for Israel. The reaction from Democratic leaders, such as Nancy Pelosi, and the subsequent partisan divisions in US support for Israel were highlighted, potentially jeopardizing long-standing bipartisan backing for Israel.
Political Ramifications of the Speech
The podcast analyzes the potential political ramifications of Netanyahu's speech on the Israeli elections. Despite Netanyahu's favored position, there was momentum against him due to BB fatigue. The episode discusses the evolving dynamics, including Herzog's shrinking but viable chance, the influence of kingmakers like Moshe Kachlon, and the likelihood of Netanyahu forming a right-wing or national unity government post-election.
From March 7, 2015: This week, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a controversial address to a joint session of Congress in a move not coordinated with President Barack Obama. The speech, repeatedly interrupted by thunderous applause, focused on the nature of the developing nuclear accord between the P5+1 and Iran and insisted a better deal was possible. The speech was also heavily colored by its proximity to the upcoming Israeli elections, with many Israel watchers wondering whether it was meant to play more to Israeli voters than to Congress. Just after Netanyahu's address, we invited Brookings Fellow Natan Sachs into the Lawfare studios to unpack the speech, including what it means for the US-Israeli relationship, the ongoing nuclear talks with Iran, and Bibi's chances in the upcoming election.