Bibi’s Visit No Favor to US or Israel

Bibi’s Visit No Favor to US or Israel

by Robert E. Hunter

Lobelog, January 23, 2015 |

Americans have historically resisted efforts by foreigners to tell us how to do our business. Many foreigners still attempt to do so, though at times ruffling our feathers and producing an effect opposite to the one intended. Of course, we Americans are not shy about telling others how to run their affairs.

Some foreign leaders and other dignitaries have gone so far as to make their suggestions in addresses before one or both houses of Congress. Until just recently, however, it was hard to find a case of a foreign leader asking Congress to defy policies enunciated by the president of the United States, especially in his role as commander-in-chief.

But that is precisely the intention behind the invitation issued by Speaker of the House John Boehner to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress, scheduled for March 3. Boehner allegedly did not come up with the idea himself but was put up to it by Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer who, like his immediate predecessor, hails from these shores but gave up his US citizenship to represent Israel in his former homeland. Of course, Boehner can argue that the White House has encouraged leaders of close European allies to push Congress to support President Obama. From the speaker’s point of view, what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.http://www.lobelog.com/bibis-visit-no-favor-to-us-or-israel/