A majority of the Massachusetts delegation to Congress chose to skip Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress. The decision to not attend the speech was a sign of protest against the controversial address, which was organized by House Speaker John Boehner without consulting the White House. The absence of the Massachusetts lawmakers, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, as well as several members of the House, highlighted the tensions within the Democratic party over the Netanyahu visit.
While some Democrats did attend the speech, many others chose to boycott it due to what they perceived as a breach of protocol and an attempt to undermine the Obama administration’s foreign policy efforts. The decision not to attend was seen as a way to show support for President Obama and his efforts to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran. Netanyahu’s speech criticized the nuclear deal and called for a tougher stance against Iran, which further fueled the controversy surrounding his visit.
The Massachusetts delegation’s decision to skip the speech was met with mixed reactions, with some praising their decision to protest against the perceived disrespect shown to the President, while others criticized them for not taking advantage of the opportunity to hear a world leader speak. Overall, the absence of the majority of the delegation was a clear signal of where they stood on the issue and their support for the Obama administration’s foreign policy objectives.
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