Netanyahu cancels trip to U.S. nuclear summit.

As the US and Russia sign a new deal to limit their nuclear arsenals, Netanyahu has cancelled a visit to the US where he was expected to take part in a nuclear security summit hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama.

The reason?

"The nuclear security summit is supposed to be about dealing with the danger of nuclear terror," the official said. "Israel is a part of that effort and has responded positively to President Obama's invitation to the conference."

The official added: "But that said, in the last few days we have received reports about the intention of several participant states to depart from the issue of combating terrorism and instead misuse the event to goad Israel over the NPT."

So, it is "misusing" a nuclear security event to ask that Israel sign up to the NNPT. No doubt it's only a proper use of the event if discussions centre around Iranian nuclear weapons, which so far don't actually exist.

Bibi is becoming farcical. But his actions are going down well amongst Republicans:

In New Orleans, hundreds of party loyalists at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference applauded when they were informed Netanyahu had just canceled his visit to Washington.

At the gathering, Liz Cheney, daughter of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, blasted Obama for his "shabby" treatment of Netanyahu at the White House recently, saying it was "disgraceful".

She added: "Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East and one of our strongest allies anywhere around this globe. And President Obama is playing a reckless game of continuing down the path of diminishing America's ties to Israel."

One hundred eighty-nine countries, including all Arab states, are party to the NPT. Only Israel, India, Pakistan and North Korea are not.

As long as Obama is being opposed, even on a subject as dangerous as nuclear proliferation, Republicans will applaud. At this point they have no idea how crazy they look.

UPDATE:



Speaking of how crazy they look, Fox lead with this. It's the bomb going off at the end which makes me smirk....

Click here for full article.

Tags: Netanyahu, Israel, nuclear disarmament, Obama