Confusion as Israeli PM turns down Obama invite

By Kaamil Ahmed

JERUSALEM

Israeli and U.S. officials have blamed each other for the apparent confusion around Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s canceled trip to the U.S.

The White House said Monday that it had only heard through the media that Netanyahu had decided to cancel the trip, during which he was scheduled to meet U.S. President Barack Obama.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted sources in Netanyahu’s office who said he chose to cancel the visit because of the ongoing process for this year’s U.S. presidential election and the failure of both sides to reach an agreement on a new military aid package.

The Times of Israel also reported that Netanyahu’s office claimed they had already told the White House that he might not go ahead with his trip, during which he was also scheduled to address a conference of the influential lobby group The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

The tension came as U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Tuesday, for talks expected to be focused on a new military aid agreement.

Israel has threatened to wait for a new deal from Obama’s successor as president, claiming it needs a significant boost in funding to counter a perceived increased threat from Iran.