Collins says Netanyahu delivers "powerful warning" to America about Iranian nuclear threat

WASHINGTON, D.C. - North Georgia Congressman Doug Collins said he and his colleagues were impressed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to a joint session of Congress, but he said President Obama's refusal to attend the address was proof that the President is not a friend to Israel.

"I think maybe this is a clarion call for those in the country who believe the President when he says he's a friend of Israel to see how much of a friend he actually is," said the Gainesville Republican.

"When you take the stand that you want to continue to negotiate with a group that sponsors terror all over the world, that continues their fight to annihilate the state of Israel and you are giving them a free pass to continue to find a path to find a nuclear weapon, I think today just simply highlighted for the world really where the President stands," said Collins.

President Obama, members of his Cabinet and staff, as well as many elected Democrat officials, decided they would not attend the address, since Netanyahu was invited to speak by House Speaker John Boehner without consultation with the White House.

Netanyahu said he regretted that his speech was seen as political. He said he has a "profound moral obligation" to speak about the danger from Iran, and that all efforts must be made to keep it from developing a nuclear weapon.

Netanyahu spoke shortly after Secretary of State John Kerry met for more than two hours in Switzerland with Iran's foreign minister. The goal of the negotiations, according to the White House, is to complete a framework agreement later this month to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Collins said Netanyahu's warning should spur Congress to act.

"I think we need to take up a very tough Iran sanctions bill - pass it through the House, pass it through the Senate...and frankly, I would dare the Democrats in the Senate to block it," said Collins.

And if such a measure made it to the President's desk and he vetoed it?

"If the President chooses to veto it, so be it, but when he sends it back I would almost guarantee you, it would get over-ridden," said Collins.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/3/285842