House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) will travel to Israel at the end of the month to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who just won re-election, according to reports from CNN and Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Israeli officials told Haaretz that Boehner will lead a delegation of Republican congressmen on a trip to Israel on March 31. Boehner reportedly confirmed the trip when Netanyahu spoke before Congress two weeks ago, before the Prime Minister won re-election.
Haaretz described the trip as a “victory celebration” for Netanyahu.
Boehner’s trip to Israel will follow Netanyahu’s controversial speech before Congress, during which he warned the Congress against a “bad deal” with Iran. Boehner invited Netanyahu to deliver the speech without first notifying the White House.
Netanyahu is also at odds with the Obama administration over his comments on the establishment of a Palestinian state. Before his election, Netanyahu indicated that he had ruled out a two-state solution. But in a Thursday interview, the Prime Minister walked back those comments, and said he could support the establishment of a Palestinian state in different conditions.
This article is missing the most basic information.
WHY is a Republican delegation of Congressmen going to Israel?
Because, if this is a Republican political event, it has nothing to do with the business of the United States of America. What actual Congressional, legislative business are these people conducting that requires the expenditure of tax money harvested from the citizens of the country?
HOW MUCH IS THIS TRIP GOING TO COST? WHERE IS THE BUDGET COMING FROM?
Excellent question. I posted it on Twitter; if you tweet, please consider doing the same.
I think this is a political victory lap for Boehner and a good photo op for the GOP base. Nothing more.
How their party can claim to be “patriotic” is beyond me.
They show their “patriotism” by being disrespectful and disloyal to the President of the United States and by kissing the ass of an Israeli politician.
TPM:
… to plot new ways to undermine the President and America, together.
Hey, when the man who OWNS the Republican Party (Sheldon Adelson) says “Go to Israel and bask in Netenyahu’s glory” you GO (or risk his wrath and chance getting “Primaried” by an even more Fascist Tea-Bagger.