WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will not meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he travels to Washington in March, the White House said Thursday, one day after being caught off-guard by Republicans’ invitation for the Israeli leader to address a joint session of Congress.
Spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said that in keeping with “long-standing practice and principle,” the president does not meet with heads of state or candidates in close proximity to their elections.
Netanyahu is scheduled to speak to Congress on March 3 and will push for additional sanctions on Iran. Elections in Israel are set for March 17.
Netanyahu had been scheduled to address lawmakers in February, but the date was changed so that it could coincide with Netanyahu’s trip to Washington to address a conference by a pro-Israel lobby group in March.
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., coordinated the invitation.
