WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration is trying to ease tensions with Israel before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (neh-ten-YAH’-hoo) speaks to Congress on Tuesday.
But the administration still insists its diplomatic record with Iran means it should get “the benefit of the doubt” while working to complete a long-term nuclear deal.
Secretary of State John Kerry was heading to Switzerland for more meetings with Iran’s foreign minister. Netanyahu arrives later Sunday in Washington – and the two men talked by telephone on Saturday.
Kerry tells ABC’s “This Week” that Netanyahu was welcome to speak in the United States and that the administration didn’t want the event “turned into some great political football.”
That’s a step back from some of the sharp rhetoric between the allies in recent weeks.