President Obama and his administration are putting off congratulating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his election victory Tuesday.
The delay, which came as the European Union and many Republicans in the
U.S. congratulated Netanyahu, is sure to be seen as a snub of a leader
with an acrimonious relationship with Obama.
White House aide David Simas said during an appearance on CNN on
Wednesday morning that the White House will await formation of a new
Israeli governing coalition, expected to take weeks, before
acknowledging a winner.
"We want to congratulate the Israeli people for the democratic process
for the election that they just engaged in with all the parties that
engaged in that election,” Simas said without mentioning Netanyahu.
“We're going to give space to the formation of that coalition
government and we're not going to weigh in one way or another except to
say that the United States and Israel have a historic and close
relationship, and that will continue,” Simas said.
Labor Party chief Isaac Herzog, who fell short of Netanyahu by a
surprisingly large margin, has not conceded defeat. Herzog said he will
try to form ruling coalition.
Netanyahu angered many Democrats by speaking out in an address to Congress against Obama’s efforts to reach a diplomatic deal to freeze Iran’s nuclear program.
The day before Israelis voted, the prime minister abandoned his support for a Palestinian state.
His shift, made to pick up support from right-wing Israeli voters, is a blow to hopes of restarting the peace process.
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