McConnell, Reid to meet with Netanyahu Tuesday

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.

 

“It’s good that the prime minister will have an opportunity to visit the Capitol again tomorrow,” the Republican leader said, adding that it’s “important to hear the perspective of a leader for whom threats from countries like Iran and terrorist groups like [the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria] and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are hardly just theoretical.” 

{mosads}McConnell’s remarks come after Netanyahu and President Obama met at the White House, marking the first in-person meeting between the two leaders in more than a year. 

A public push by Netanyahu — including a speech before Congress — to sink the Iran nuclear deal earlier this year raised tensions between the two leaders. McConnell noted on Monday that it’s the first time the two have met since the deal was completed, and that he expects that Obama and Netanyahu had “much to discuss.” 

“I’m sure they engaged in a frank discussion,” McConnell added. “But a relationship based on frank exchanges of views — a relationship centered on substance, rather than just personalities — is important for both of our countries. It’s healthy.” 

McConnell, as well as every Senate Republican and a handful of Democrats, opposed the nuclear deal, though they failed to get enough support to pass a resolution of disapproval. 

The Republican leader took a shot at the agreement Monday, suggesting that it threatens Israel because it does not “even require Iran to recognize Israel’s right to exist” and “is likely to entrench Iran’s nuclear threshold capabilities while helping subsidize terrorist groups dedicated to Israel’s destruction.” 

A last-minute push by Republicans to link public support for Israel to the agreement was blocked by Democrats, including three lawmakers who otherwise opposed the deal. The Obama administration has repeatedly said that the agreement was focused on Iran’s nuclear program and not other areas of disagreement.

Reid added that he would discuss Netanyahu’s visit on Tuesday morning, but noted, “I look forward to meeting with the prime minister of Israel tomorrow.”  

Separately, more than a dozen Senate Democrats sent a letter to Obama on Monday, urging that he sign a new and robust formal agreement with Netanyahu detailing security assistance for Israel. The senators suggested that should also include “necessary and appropriate measures to deter Iran.”

Democratic Sens. Michael Bennet (Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Ben Cardin (Md.), Cory Booker (N.J.), Robert Casey, Jr. (Pa.), Christopher Coons (Del.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Tim Kaine (Va.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Ed Markey (Mass.), Barbara Mikulski (Md.), Bill Nelson (Fla.), Charles Schumer (N.Y.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Mark Warner (Va.) and Ron Wyden (Ore.) signed the letter.