Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just gave a controversial speech to Congress,
which President Obama and many Democratic politicians refused to attend.
Obama and Netanyahu’s relationship has been described by the press as “icy”, “tense”,
and “antagonistic”.
Has their relationship always been this way?
Here’s a timeline to find out.
[2008] As a presidential candidate, Obama travels to Israel and speaks of a desire to
“reaffirm the special relationship” between Israel and the US.
[June 2009] As President, Obama gives a speech in Egypt, saying he “does not accept the
legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements” Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to approve
of new settlement construction.
[May 2011] Obama calls for a two-state solution in the Middle East conflict.
He favors the original 1967 state boundaries between Israel and Palestine.
Netanyahu refuses to revert back to those borders, citing security concerns.
[November 2011] A private conversation between Obama and the President of France was accidentally
broadcast to journalists.
Obama griped about Netanyahu, saying, “you’re fed up with him, but I have to deal with him
even more often than you.”
[September 2012] Netanyahu declares Iran close to developing nuclear weapons.
Concern over Iran’s nuclear capabilities is now a priority for both Israel and the
US.
[November 2012] During Obama’s reelection campaign, Netanyahu reportedly supports Obama’s
rival, Mitt Romney.
[October 2014] The Atlantic reports that one official in the Obama administration calls
Netanyahu “a chickenshit” over the Palestinian conflict, and another calls him a “coward”
over Iran’s nuclear threat.
[March 3, 2015] Netanyahu gives a speech to the US Congress without the invitation of
the White House.
Obama does not attend.
Despite clear tensions, both leaders maintain that their country’s diplomatic relationship
is stronger than ever.
Whether their personal relationship will ever improve, remains to be seen.
To learn more about the Israeli Prime Minister, check out our video on him here.
If you’re interested in something totally different, watch this Seeker story on America’s
awkward history depicting the prophet Muhammad.
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