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U.S.'s Power: U.S.-Israel Alliance 'Cannot Be Politicized'

DOW JONES & COMPANY, INC. 10:33 AM ET 03/02/15

WASHINGTON--The Obama administration's ambassador to the United Nations, seeking to calm relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pledged on Monday that the U.S. "will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon."

Samantha Power, speaking at a meeting of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or Aipac, also said that Washington's alliance with Israel should never be "politicized."

President Barack Obama and other White House officials have expressed anger that Mr. Netanyahu worked privately with the Republican party's leadership to schedule a Tuesday speech before a joint-session of Congress.

Mr. Netanyahu is expected to sharply criticize the White House's diplomatic engagement with Iran, which is aimed at curbing its nuclear program.

"We believe firmly that Israel's security...transcends politics, and always will," Ms. Power told the annual gathering of Aipac, the U.S.'s most powerful pro-Israel lobby. "This partnership cannot be politicized...and it cannot, and will not, be broken. The stakes are too high for that."

Write to Jay Solomon at [e-mail]

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires

By Jay Solomon
WASHINGTON--Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a day before a much-anticipated speech to Congress, hailed the strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance and said talk of its demise was "just wrong."

Mr. Netanyahu, speaking on Monday before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, also played down his differences with President Barack Obama over the issue of Iran, and said his country doesn't seek to be "injected" into a partisan political debate inside the U.S.

"My speech is not intended to show any disrespect to President Obama or the esteemed office he holds," Mr. Netanyahu told Aipac, the U.S.'s most powerful pro-Israel lobby. "My speech is also not intended to inject Israel into the partisan American debate."

Still, Mr. Netanyahu signaled that his Tuesday speech on Capitol Hill was going to be highly critical of the diplomatic process Mr. Obama is pursuing with Iran.

Israeli officials believe the terms of the agreement being negotiated won't go far enough to ensure Tehran doesn't have the capability to produce nuclear weapons.

"I plan to speak about an Iranian regime that is threatening to destroy Israel, that is devouring country after country in the Middle East...and is developing, as we speak, the capacity to make nuclear weapons--lots of them," Mr. Netanyahu said before an audience of 16,000 Aipac members.

"Israel and the United State agree that Iran should not have nuclear weapons. But we disagree on how" to stop them, he said.

Meanwhile, Samantha Power, the Obama administration's ambassador to the United Nations, pledged on Monday that the U.S. "will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon."

Ms. Power, speaking at a meeting of Aipac, also said that Washington's alliance with Israel should never be " politicized."

President Obama and other White House officials have expressed anger that Mr. Netanyahu worked privately with the Republican party's leadership to schedule a Tuesday speech before a joint-session of Congress.

"We believe firmly that Israel's security...transcends politics, and always will," Ms. Power told the annual gathering of Aipac, the U.S.'s most powerful pro-Israel lobby. "This partnership cannot be politicized...and it cannot, and will not, be broken. The stakes are too high for that."

Write to Jay Solomon at [e-mail]

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires

By Jay Solomon
WASHINGTON--Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a day before a much-anticipated speech to Congress, hailed the strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance and said talk of its demise was "just wrong."

Mr. Netanyahu, speaking on Monday before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, also played down his differences with President Barack Obama over the issue of Iran, and said his country doesn't seek to be "injected" into a partisan political debate inside the U.S.

"My speech is not intended to show any disrespect to President Obama or the esteemed office he holds," Mr. Netanyahu told Aipac, the U.S.'s most powerful pro-Israel lobby. "My speech is also not intended to inject Israel into the partisan American debate."

Still, Mr. Netanyahu signaled that his Tuesday speech on Capitol Hill was going to be highly critical of the diplomatic process Mr. Obama is pursuing with Iran.

Israeli officials believe the terms of the agreement being negotiated won't go far enough to ensure Tehran doesn't have the capability to produce nuclear weapons.

"I plan to speak about an Iranian regime that is threatening to destroy Israel, that is devouring country after country in the Middle East...and is developing, as we speak, the capacity to make nuclear weapons--lots of them," Mr. Netanyahu said before an audience of 16,000 Aipac members.

"Israel and the United State agree that Iran should not have nuclear weapons. But we disagree on how" to stop them, he said.

Iran denies it wants nuclear weapons, saying its nuclear program is for purely peaceful civilian purposes.

Mr. Netanyahu's planned speech before a joint-session of Congress has angered the White House, which believes the leader is seeking to use the address to boost his chances for re-election this month.

The prime minister's office worked secretly with the Republican party leadership to arrange the congressional address, largely keeping the White House in the dark.

Mr. Netanyahu acknowledged his speech before Congress has generated a lot of controversy, though he didn't apologize for the way it was arranged.

"Never has so much been written about a speech that hasn't been given," Mr. Netanyahu said.

The Obama administration sent the U.S.'s ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, to address the Aipac conference on Monday.

Ms. Power said Washington's support for Iran will remain strong and that President Obama "will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon."

But the American diplomat also said that no U.S. or Israeli leader should allow their alliance to be politicized.

"We believe firmly that Israel's security....transcends politics, and always will," Ms. Power told the annual gathering of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. This partnership cannot be politicized...and it cannot, and will not, be broken. The stakes are too high for that."

Earlier on Monday, Secretary of State John Kerry offered conciliatory comments when spoke in Geneva to the United Nations Human Rights Council, stressing the importance of Israel's security to the U.S.

"Israel's security is absolutely at the forefront of all of our minds," he said. "But frankly so is the security of all the other countries in the region. So is our security in the United States."

Seeking to ease concerns leading up to a late March deadline in the Iran talks, Mr. Kerry reiterated that the administration wouldn't accept a bad deal.

He said the Obama administration believes its negotiating partners as well as those within the U.S. "must once and for all come to the understanding that sanctions and agreement don't go together." Mr. Kerry said if the six-nation group negotiating with Iran wants to reach an agreement, "we believe all sanctions must be lifted."

Mr. Kerry will meet with Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif later Monday, along with U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, to work to narrow divisions. Additional meetings are set for Tuesday and Wednesday, before Mr. Kerry heads to Saudi Arabia to meet with King Salman.

In his address to the Human Rights Council, Mr. Kerry applauded the body's work, but said its continuing inquiries into Israel were "deeply concerning" and threatened to undermine the council.

"We will oppose any effort by any group or participant in the U.N. system to arbitrarily and regularly delegitimize or isolate Israel," Mr. Kerry said. "Not just in the HRC, but wherever it occurs."

Felicia Schwartz in Geneva contributed to this article

Write to Jay Solomon at [e-mail]

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires

By Jay Solomon
WASHINGTON--Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a day before a much-anticipated speech to Congress, hailed the strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance and said talk of its demise was "just wrong."

Mr. Netanyahu, speaking on Monday before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, also played down his differences with President Barack Obama over the issue of Iran, and said his country doesn't seek to be "injected" into a partisan political debate inside the U.S.

"My speech is not intended to show any disrespect to President Obama or the esteemed office he holds," Mr. Netanyahu told Aipac, the U.S.'s most powerful pro-Israel lobby. "My speech is also not intended to inject Israel into the partisan American debate."

Still, Mr. Netanyahu signaled that his Tuesday speech on Capitol Hill was going to be highly critical of the diplomatic process Mr. Obama is pursuing with Iran.

Israeli officials believe the terms of the agreement being negotiated won't go far enough to ensure Tehran doesn't have the capability to produce nuclear weapons.

"I plan to speak about an Iranian regime that is threatening to destroy Israel, that is devouring country after country in the Middle East...and is developing, as we speak, the capacity to make nuclear weapons--lots of them," Mr. Netanyahu said before an audience of 16,000 Aipac members.

"Israel and the United State agree that Iran should not have nuclear weapons. But we disagree on how" to stop them, he said.

Iran denies it wants nuclear weapons, saying its nuclear program is for purely peaceful civilian purposes.

Mr. Netanyahu's planned speech before a joint-session of Congress has angered the White House, which believes the leader is seeking to use the address to boost his chances for re-election this month.

The prime minister's office worked secretly with the Republican party leadership to arrange the congressional address, largely keeping the White House in the dark.

Mr. Netanyahu acknowledged his speech before Congress has generated a lot of controversy, though he didn't apologize for the way it was arranged.

"Never has so much been written about a speech that hasn't been given," Mr. Netanyahu said.

The Obama administration sent the U.S.'s ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, to address the Aipac conference on Monday.

Ms. Power said Washington's support for Israel will remain strong and that President Obama "will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon."

But the American diplomat also said that no U.S. or Israeli leader should allow their alliance to be politicized.

"We believe firmly that Israel's security....transcends politics, and always will," Ms. Power told the annual gathering of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. This partnership cannot be politicized...and it cannot, and will not, be broken. The stakes are too high for that."

Earlier on Monday, Secretary of State John Kerry offered conciliatory comments when spoke in Geneva to the United Nations Human Rights Council, stressing the importance of Israel's security to the U.S.

"Israel's security is absolutely at the forefront of all of our minds," he said. "But frankly so is the security of all the other countries in the region. So is our security in the United States."

Seeking to ease concerns leading up to a late March deadline in the Iran talks, Mr. Kerry reiterated that the administration wouldn't accept a bad deal.

He said the Obama administration believes its negotiating partners as well as those within the U.S. "must once and for all come to the understanding that sanctions and agreement don't go together." Mr. Kerry said if the six-nation group negotiating with Iran wants to reach an agreement, "we believe all sanctions must be lifted."

Mr. Kerry will meet with Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif later Monday, along with U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, to work to narrow divisions. Additional meetings are set for Tuesday and Wednesday, before Mr. Kerry heads to Saudi Arabia to meet with King Salman.

In his address to the Human Rights Council, Mr. Kerry applauded the body's work, but said its continuing inquiries into Israel were "deeply concerning" and threatened to undermine the council.

"We will oppose any effort by any group or participant in the U.N. system to arbitrarily and regularly delegitimize or isolate Israel," Mr. Kerry said. "Not just in the HRC, but wherever it occurs."

Felicia Schwartz in Geneva contributed to this article

Write to Jay Solomon at [e-mail]

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires

By Jay Solomon
WASHINGTON--Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a day before a much-anticipated speech to Congress, hailed the strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance and said talk of its demise was "just wrong."

Mr. Netanyahu, speaking on Monday to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, also played down his differences with President Barack Obama over Iran, and said his country doesn't seek to be injected into a partisan political debate inside the U.S.

"My speech is not intended to show any disrespect to President Obama or the esteemed office he holds," Mr. Netanyahu told Aipac, the U.S.'s most powerful pro-Israel lobby.

"My speech is also not intended to inject Israel into the partisan American debate."

Still, Mr. Netanyahu signaled that his Tuesday speech on Capitol Hill was going to be highly critical of the diplomatic process Mr. Obama is pursuing with Iran.

Israeli officials contend the terms of the agreement being negotiated won't go far enough to ensure Tehran doesn't have the capability to produce nuclear weapons.

"I plan to speak about an Iranian regime that is threatening to destroy Israel, that is devouring country after country in the Middle East...and is developing, as we speak, the capacity to make nuclear weapons--lots of them," Mr. Netanyahu said before an audience of 16,000 Aipac members.

"Israel and the U.S. agree that Iran should not have nuclear weapons. But we disagree on how" to stop them, he said.

Iran denies it wants nuclear weapons, saying its nuclear program is for purely peaceful civilian purposes.

Mr. Netanyahu's planned speech before a joint session of Congress has angered the White House, which believes the leader is seeking to use the address to boost his chances for re-election this month.

The prime minister's office worked secretly with the Republican Party leadership to arrange the congressional address, largely keeping the White House in the dark.

Mr. Netanyahu acknowledged his speech before Congress has generated a lot of controversy, though he didn't apologize for the way it was arranged.

"Never has so much been written about a speech that hasn't been given," Mr. Netanyahu said.

A day before Mr. Netanyahu's congressional speech, Secretary of State John Kerry said details of the deal being discussed with Iran should not be made public, an apparent warning to the Israeli leader.

"We are concerned by reports that suggest selective details of the ongoing negotiations will be discussed publicly in the coming days," Mr. Kerry said at a news conference while traveling to Geneva. "I want to say clearly that doing so would make it more difficult to reach the goal that Israel and others say they share in order to get a good deal."

The Obama administration sent U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power to address the Aipac conference on Monday.

Ms. Power said Washington's support for Israel will remain strong and that President Obama "will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon."

But the American diplomat also said that no U.S. or Israeli leader should allow their alliance to be politicized.

"We believe firmly that Israel's security...transcends politics, and always will," Ms. Power told the Aipac annual gathering.

"This partnership cannot be politicized...and it cannot, and will not, be broken. The stakes are too high for that."

Earlier, Mr. Kerry offered conciliatory comments when he spoke in Geneva to the United Nations Human Rights Council, stressing the importance of Israel's security to the U.S.

"Israel's security is absolutely at the forefront of all of our minds," he said. "But frankly so is the security of all the other countries in the region. So is our security in the U.S."

Seeking to ease concerns leading up to a late March deadline in the Iran talks, Mr. Kerry reiterated that the Obama administration wouldn't accept a bad deal.

He said the administration believes its negotiating partners as well as those within the U.S. "must once and for all come to the understanding that sanctions and agreement don't go together."

Mr. Kerry said if the six-nation group negotiating with Iran wants to reach an agreement, "we believe all sanctions must be lifted."

Mr. Kerry met with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif later Monday, along with U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, to work to narrow divisions.

Additional meetings were set for Tuesday and Wednesday, before Mr. Kerry heads to Saudi Arabia to meet with King Salman.

In his address to the Human Rights Council, Mr. Kerry applauded the body's work.

But he said its continuing inquiries into Israel were "deeply concerning" and threatened to undermine the council.

"We will oppose any effort by any group or participant in the U.N. system to arbitrarily and regularly delegitimize or isolate Israel," Mr. Kerry said.

"Not just in the HRC, but wherever it occurs."

Felicia Schwartz in Geneva contributed to this article

Write to Jay Solomon at [e-mail]

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires


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03-02-151033ET
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