US media say the unannounced visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the States could have lasting consequences for him.
The Washington Post has quoted unnamed officials as warning that Netanyahu's visit that was publicized through a surprise announcement by House Speaker John Boehner is already straining US-Israeli ties. They say the White House is specifically upset because neither Boehner nor Netanyahu gave the administration any notice of the visit. They also warned that playing politics with Israel-US relationship could blunt Secretary Kerry's enthusiasm for being Israel's primary defender. The Obama administration has already said the president will not meet Netanyahu, who has been invited to the US by Boehner without asking the White House permission. Boehner announced that he invited the Israeli premier to address Congress on Iran.