Netanyahu: Congress speech is not illegitimate because American public supports Israel
Netanyahu defends his Congress speech in an interview to a haredi radio station.
By JPOST.COM STAFFPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu(photo credit: HAIM ZACH/GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming speech to Congress about the Iranian nuclear threat is crucial because Congress is one of the only bodies that can actually stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, he said during an interview to a haredi radio station on Friday morning."I am writing the speech and it is important, because I am going there to try to stop the deal from happening. We remember the times when Persia tried to destroy us, and today in the same Persia there is a ruler who calls for the destruction of the Jewish state and they plan on doing it with nuclear weapons," he said.Netanyahu's speech to US Congress, due on March 3, has caused a rift between himself and US President Barack Obama's administration. During his speech, Netanyahu will speak out against the emerging nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1.The prime minister shared that following his Congress speech, he will dine with Republicans and Democrats in Washington. "I take it as a blessing. There was an invitation from both sides...this shows that there is a greater interest." he said."According to the signs, in most of the US, there is support for Israel. So I can have differences with the US president, that is legitimate, so what is not legitimate about us speaking our minds? Especially when the majority supports us."Netanyahu was asked about his feelings towards the negative media attention he garners, and he answered "you need to strong. The feeling is hard, when you and your family are being attacked and slandered."In regards to the upcoming election, Netanyahu was asked to whom his first phone call will be in order to make a coalition after the elections. He responded that depending on the results, the coalition building could fall on Tzipi Livni and Isaac Herzog, but if it doesn't, he will call on Naftali Bennett, Moshe Kahlon and Avigdor Liberman.
