Democratic U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro of New Haven chose not to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress Tuesday.
DeLauro laid out her reasons in a release:
“I have decided not to attend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of the United States Congress.
“I am uncomfortable with not attending because I am a strong supporter of Israel, understand its unique security needs, have travelled to Israel over many years, have a special bond with Connecticut’s Jewish community, and I have always supported bipartisan efforts to achieve the highest level of sanctions against Iran and its nuclear ambitions. That has allowed President Obama to pursue negotiations of a potential agreement to keep Iran from getting to the threshold of a nuclear weapon. I support those negotiations. If the negotiations fall short I will not hesitate to support more sanctions.
“This partisan invitation by the Republican leaders of Congress who oppose the negotiations is meant to undermine the negotiations that I support, is disrespectful of the President of the United States and, worst of all, leaves America’s relations with Israel stuck in the same polarized, partisan mud that keeps us from doing the right thing in so many areas. That is deeply harmful to Israel. So I felt it is wrong to attend the address that is part of Speaker Boehner’s partisan game plan and part of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s campaign plan in Israel.
“The United States and Israel have a bond that has been forged by our shared values as democracies and our common interests. We will be allies for years to come, as we work together for a world where Israelis can live in peace and security. I will continue to work to actively foster bipartisan support for Israel.”
I am a strong supporter of Israel and this is the right decision for all of the reasons she has given. I thank Rosa for having the courage and independence to make it.