Angry over Netanyahu's planned speech, Dems hope to limit harm
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4623864,00.html
Analysis: Gleeful Republicans predict Democrats' objections to Netanyahu's March 3 speech will drive Jewish voters to party, as Democratic lawmakers face tough choice between backing Obama and defending Jewish state they consider key ally.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming speech to Congress without President Barack Obama's blessing has angered Democratic lawmakers, but they see little remedy except to hope for minimal damage to their party and to US-Israel relations.
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Many Democrats object for three reasons: The invitation rebukes Obama; the speech, scheduled three weeks before Israel's elections, might be designed to boost Netanyahu's re-election hopes; and Netanyahu is certain to back new sanctions on Iran that the administration and Western powers argue could scuttle sensitive negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.
The speech comes three weeks before the deadline for the US and its international partners to reach a framework nuclear agreement with Iran, one that could provide an outline for a more comprehensive deal to be finalized by late June.
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