Two of three U.S. House members representing Snohomish County skipped Tuesday’s speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Democratic Reps. Rick Larsen of Lake Stevens and Jim McDermott of Seattle did not attend, while Rep. Suzan DelBene of Medina did.
Democratic U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell also attended.
In an email, Larsen said that he is a “great friend and ally of Israel. As a friend, I think it is best I not be in a position where my presence could be construed as getting involved in Israel’s domestic politics, which is what this speech has become.”
McDermott said in a statement that he has heard Netanyahu explain his opposition to nuclear negotiations with Iran on “countless occasions. I chose not to attend today’s speech because, as expected, he once again mis-characterized both the intent and the goals of what could be an historic nuclear deal.”
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