How US and Israelis reacted to Netanyahu address

Perhaps the last speech Americans watched with such polarised reactions was Barack Obama’s victory address in November, 2012.

To some, Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress was a “triumph”. Others called it a “disgrace”.

Here are the reactions of some of the key players in Washington and in Israel:

Congress

Over fifty Democrat members of Congress boycotted the speech, including Elizabeth Warren, the prominent Massachusetts senator.

Those who chose to attend, however, had a hard time staying in their seats.

President Barack Obama

Mr Obama offered a pointed rebuke to the speech from the Oval Office

Prime Minister Netanyahu has not offered any kind of viable alternative that would achieve the same verifiable mechanisms to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon….

What I can guarantee is if it’s a deal that I’ve signed off on, I will be able to proove that it is the best way to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. And for us to pass up on that potential opportunity would be a great mistake. It’s not one I intend to make.

The Democrats

Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, said she was “near tears” while listening to the speech.

I was near tears throughout the Prime Minister’s speech – saddened by the insult to the intelligence of the United States as part of the P5 +1 nations, and saddened by the condescension toward our knowledge of the threat posed by Iran and our broader commitment to preventing nuclear proliferation.

While several other House Democrats took shots at Mr Netanyahu

The Republicans

John Boehner, the House Speaker whose invitation to Mr Netanyahu set off this whole fracas, praised the speech.

While likely 2016 Republican presidential contenders also showed their support

The Israelis

Perhaps the most important reactions to the speech will come from Israel, where Mr Netanyahu is on the ballot in two weeks.

Isaac Herzog, the leader of the Israeli opposition, said he hoped the speech “would not hurt” US/Israeli relations.

The zionist union has a different approach – we will protect Israel against a nuclear Iran by working together with our allies, and with out best friend, the US of A, and not against it.

Zehava Galon, leader of the left wing Meretz party, termed the speech a “chutzpa”:

“It’s like David Cameron coming to the Knesset and telling Netanyahu that he is endangering the security of Israel,” she said.

But in Israel, as in the rest of the world, once the rhetoric faded, the lingering sentiment was uncertainty: