Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to accept House Speaker John Boehner's invitation to speak before Congress in March, close to elections in Israel, has apparently backfired.

The Israeli leader is set to deliver a candid speech about the dangers of striking a nuclear with Iran, which may spur Congress to beef up sanctions against Tehran. For Netanyahu, his speech could win him votes back home ahead of the polls he is in danger of losing.

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However, analysts said what the invitation achieved was to rally Democrats behind President Obama, who is lobbying against a vote on sanctions while working on a diplomatic solution to iron out a nuclear agreement with Iran.

Boehner apparently hatched the plan for Netanyahu's speech covertly, along with Israeli ambassador Ron Dermer who used to be affiliated with the Republican Party.

The two went ahead with the plan without informing the White House, which says Netanyahu visit is a breach of protocol. The president's men ruled out a meeting with Netanyahu so close to Israeli elections.

An unidentified White House official told Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, that there are things an allied leader should not do, adding Netanyahu should remember that President Obama is still in power for 18 months and there will be a price to pay.

Obama has been at odds with Netanyahu over peace initiatives in the Middle East, but the Israeli leader's visit at the House Speaker's invitation has been seen as foul - something not only politically offensive, but also disrespects the U.S. presidency. Even Obama staunch critic, Fox News, was irked over the visit as well as pro-Israel media commentators.

In Israel, former president Shimon Peres scored Netanyahu, noting the prime minister can make speeches at any date or place but when the U.S. president asks him not to come before the polls, he must respect it. Peres spoke on the sidelines of a tribute to the late Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Wednesday.

After learning about Netanyahu's Congressional invitation, popular Israeli commentator Tal Schneider quipped that the U.S. House Speaker has just joined the campaign of the Likud Party, Netanyahu's political group. 

TagsBenjamin Netanyahu, Barack Obama, Israel, John Boehner, Ron Dermer, Republican Party