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Top-Tier Names to be Absent from AIPAC Conference

 
To hear officials of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the American lobby for Israel, tell it, its annual policy conference is a “no-miss” event for government – including administration — officials. But this year, with tensions between US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu boiling over into the domestic politics of both nations, it appears that the administration will dispatch only a second-tier name to represent it at the parley being held March 1-3. Within the world of Israel’s American supporters, word that the President, Vice President Biden and Secretary of State Kerry are all opting out of the annual outpouring of support for Israel is a significant and somewhat ominous development. With Israel in the run-up to an election slated for March 17, and Netanyahu refusing to back down from the invitation to address a joint session of Congress arranged by Republicans without input from the Democrats that touched off a maelstrom of controversy, some argue that it is Netanyahu who stands to lose as his opponents seem to be gaining traction on the accusation that the PM is jeopardizing the all-important US-Israel relationship. Politics aside, Netanyahu argues it’s his duty to speak in any forum offered about the existential threat to Israel posed by Iranian nuclear weapons. And as well, the Israeli election commission will be riding shotgun on the speech to ensure no electioneering slips into the text.