Did Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Turn her Back on Netanyahu?

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Congress speech got 26 standing ovations, but Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi says it was an insult to the intelligence of Americans. 

Democratic Party leader Nancy Pelosi was visibly upset during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address on the Iranian threat on Tuesday to a joint meeting of Congress. She released a scathing statement after the speech, stating it was unnecessary and an “insult to intelligence.”

Pelosi, minority leader of the US House of Representatives, “was near tears throughout the prime minister’s speech – saddened by the insult to the intelligence of the United States as part of the P5 +1 nations, and saddened by the condescension toward our knowledge of the threat posed by Iran and our broader commitment to preventing nuclear proliferation.”

The Congresswoman added that all agree on what Netanyahu said, that “a nuclear armed Iran is unacceptable to both our countries,” that a bad deal is worse than no deal, and that stopping the spread of nuclear weapons is the bedrock of US foreign policy and national security.

Essentially, she echoed President Barack Obama’s statement that Netanyahu said nothing new in Congress.

During the address itself, Pelosi was seen appearing to turn her back on Netanyahu.

When Netanyahu declared, “I can promise you one more thing: Even if Israel has to stand alone, Israel will stand,” the audience gave him a standing ovation. Pelosi, however, turned around and engaged another person in conversation.

Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush, among others, supported the message of the Israeli leader, stating on Facebook: “Powerful message from Benjamin Netanyahu. Glad he addressed Congress & detailed the dangers a nuclear Iran poses. Their nuclear program must be stopped.”

By: Aryeh Savir
Staff Writer, United with Israel