Feinstein tells Haaretz: PM speech 'inappropriate,' Iran sanctions 'dangerous' The growing backlash
Feinstein tells Haaretz: PM speech 'inappropriate,' Iran sanctions 'dangerous'
The growing backlash against Netanyahu's planned speech in Congress is diluting Democratic support for the Kirk-Menendez sanctions bill.
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The liberal Feinstein, who is not one of the 12 Democratic co-sponsors of the Kirk-Menendez bill, said in a statement to Haaretz: "Inviting Prime Minister Netanyahu without consulting the administration is clearly a breach of protocol and an unwelcome injection of partisan politics into our foreign policy. It puts the United States in the middle of Israel’s election, which is highly inappropriate.”
Feinstein added “I also believe imposing additional sanctions on Iran in the midst of negotiations — which is what Netanyahu will reportedly discuss — would collapse the negotiations and ruin a historic diplomatic opportunity. Imposing sanctions now is reckless and dangerous.”
The backlash against the Boehner-Netanyahu gambit reached fever pitch on Saturday, embraced by not only editorial and op-eds in liberal leaning news organizations such as the New York Times and Boston Globe, but even traditionally Netanyahu-adoring channels such Fox News. In a scathing attack on both Netanyahu and Boehner, Fox’s Chris Wallace described the move as “wicked,” “dicey politics” and “an egregious snub” of the American president, while anchorman Shepard Smith wondered “Do they think we’re morons over there?”
New York Times columnist David Brooks, who was criticized earlier this month for his laudatory column on Netanyahu entitled “The Age of Bibi,” said on PBS that Netanyahu’s invitation was “unwise” and “bad for Israel.” His liberal counterpart Mark Shields went much further: He described the Netanyahu speech as “irresponsible” and “sordid."
the rest:
http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/west-of-eden/.premium-1.638799
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