Obama Won’t Meet With Israel’s Netanyahu During U.S. Visit : Byron Tau
http://www.wsj.com/articles/obama-wont-meet-with-israels-netanyahu-during-u-s-visit-1421950429?mod=trending_now_2
Move to ‘Avoid Appearance’ of Influencing Israeli Election, White House Says
WASHINGTON—Citing the need to remain neutral in the upcoming Israeli elections, the White House said President Barack Obama won’t meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits in March.
“As a matter of long-standing practice and principle, we do not see heads of state or candidates in close proximity to their elections, so as to avoid the appearance of influencing a democratic election in a foreign country,” said Bernadette Meehan, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council.
Israeli elections are scheduled for March 17. Mr. Netanyahu will address Congress on March 3.
The White House noted that Messrs. Obama and Netanyahu are in frequent contact.
Mr. Netanyahu will be in the U.S. in early March to address a conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. He has also been invited to address a joint session of Congress, where he is expected to discuss joint U.S.-Israeli efforts to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The White House and many in Congress are at odds over a new push by some lawmakers for new sanctions against Iran. Mr. Netanyahu favors tougher sanctions, something White House officials have said would be a bad idea because it would upend talks with Iran over its nuclear program.
In its statement, the White House reiterated its opposition to additional sanctions. “The president has been clear about his opposition to Congress passing new legislation on Iran that could undermine our negotiations and divide the international community,” Ms. Meehan said.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest, speaking aboard Air Force One on Wednesday, called the invitation a “departure” from the typical protocol.
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