Dem rep: Nobody has harmed U.S.-Israel ties more than Netanyahu

A Democratic congressman said Tuesday that no “individual has done more to harm the vitally important U.S.-Israeli relationship than” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The comments from Rep. Peter WelchPeter Francis WelchShakespeare gets a congressional hearing in this year's 'Will on the Hill' Democrats debate shape of new Jan. 6 probe On the Money: Tech giants face rising pressure from shareholder activists | House Democrats urge IRS to reverse Trump-era rule reducing donor disclosure | Sen. Warren, Jamie Dimon spar over overdraft fees at Senate hearing MORE (D-Vt.) came during Netanyahu’s speech to a joint meeting of Congress, where he criticized the Obama administration’s talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Welch indicated that he would attend the speech.

“The Israeli electorate will decide whether to entrust a man with his temperament & judgment to be custodian of US/Israel relationship,” Welch said, referring to Netanyahu’s upcoming election.

1/4 No single individual has done more to harm the vitally important U.S.-Israeli relationship than @Netanyahu #NetanyahuSpeech

— Rep. Peter Welch (@PeterWelch) March 3, 2015

2/4 The Israeli electorate will decide whether to entrust a man with his temperament & judgment to be custodian of US/Israel relationship

— Rep. Peter Welch (@PeterWelch) March 3, 2015

3/4 With this speech, @Netanyahu has made the decision to undermine delicate negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program #NetanyahuSpeech

— Rep. Peter Welch (@PeterWelch) March 3, 2015

4/4 I am listening carefully to @Netanyahu. What is his Plan B to negotiations? Military intervention? If so, he should say so.If not, what?

— Rep. Peter Welch (@PeterWelch) March 3, 2015

Netanyahu slammed the talks with Iran during his address Tuesday.

“For more than a year, we’ve been told that no deal is better than a bad deal. Well, this is a bad deal. It’s a very bad deal. We’re better off without it,” he said.

Fifty-six Democrats said that they planned to boycott the speech — though Netanyahu looked to smooth over political tensions at the beginning of his speech, saying he was thankful that Senate Minority Leader Harry ReidHarry Mason ReidWhite House seeks to shield Biden from GOP attacks on crime issue Lobbying world Warner backing 'small carve-out' on filibuster for voting rights MORE (D-Nev.) was back after suffering an injury to his eye and ribs.