Republicans seek Benjamin Netanyahu speech tickets from boycotting Democrats

Republicans seek Benjamin Netanyahu speech tickets from boycotting Democrats

But Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California Democrat and a key party spokeswoman on national-security issues, was less sanguine Sunday, calling Mr. Netanyahu “arrogant” for going forward with his address this week and accusing him of undermining President Obama.

Mrs. Feinstein took aim at Mr. Netanyahu for saying he would represent the “entire Jewish people” when he warns Congress about the nuclear deal being brokered with Iran.

“I think it is a rather arrogant statement,” the California Democrat said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“He doesn’t speak for me,” said Mrs. Feinstein, who is Jewish. “I think arrogance does not befit Israel. I think Israel is a nation that needs to be protected, that needs to stand free, that hopefully can work constructively with Palestinians to have a side-by-side state and to put an end to the bitterness that has plagued this whole area. “

But Mr. Boehner said Americans need to hear from the Israeli leader, whose nation could have the most to lose from a nuclear-armed Iran that has repeatedly vowed to destroy Israel, and who has dealt for decades with the kind of insurgent terrorism that the rest of the globe is now grappling with.

“What is destructive in my view is making a bad deal that paves the way for a nuclear Iran. That’s destructive and that’s why it’s so important for the American people to hear what Prime Minister Netanyahu has to say about the grave threats that we are facing,” Mr. Boehner said.

Support for Israel has become dominant within the GOP, and Republicans said their family, friends and constituents clamored to get in to see Mr. Netanyahu.

“Those are hot commodities. If you come across an extra one, let me know,” said Rep. Ted Yoho, Florida Republican.

He said he is bringing a constituent to the speech, but saw a high enough demand that he asked colleagues who aren’t attending if he could get one of their unused tickets. He wasn’t able to find any extras.

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