[h=3]By JAY SOLOMON[/h]Israel's prime minister expressed dissatisfaction with Washington's refusal to spell out what would provoke a U.S.-led military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, escalating the open rift between the leadership in both countries.
ReutersIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday during a news conference in Jerusalem.
In an unusually blunt attack on the White House Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said President Barack Obama's administration lacks the moral authority to press Israel not to attack Iran.
"The world tells Israel 'wait, there's still time'. And I say, 'Wait for what? Wait until when?'" said Mr. Netanyahu, speaking in English during a news conference in Jerusalem with Bulgaria's prime minister.
"Those in the international community who refuse to put red lines before Iran don't have a moral right to place a red light before Israel," he said.
Shortly after the statement, the White House said Mr. Obama won't meet Mr. Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly this month because of scheduling differences, the White House said Tuesday.
"The President arrives in New York for the U.N. on Monday, September 24th and departs on Tuesday, September 25th. The Prime Minister doesn't arrive in New York until later in the week. They're simply not in the city at the same time," National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a statement.
Mr. Vietor said senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, would meet Mr. Netanyahu in New York.
An administration official said Mr. Obama will not hold any bilateral meetings with leaders at UN General Assembly this year.
Washington wants to give diplomacy and sanctions more time to try to pressure Iran to abandon its suspect nuclear work. In a message aimed at Israel, it said several times this week that deadlines or "red lines" are counterproductive.
But Mr. Netanyahu said peaceful methods aren't working, and Iran is getting closer to acquiring a nuclear bomb. His remarks have generated speculation Israel is readying to strike on its own.
The remarks could play into the presidential election by giving Mitt Romney ammunition to appeal to Jewish voters by arguing that President Obama hasn't backed Israel enough against Iran.
ReutersIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday during a news conference in Jerusalem.
In an unusually blunt attack on the White House Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said President Barack Obama's administration lacks the moral authority to press Israel not to attack Iran.
"The world tells Israel 'wait, there's still time'. And I say, 'Wait for what? Wait until when?'" said Mr. Netanyahu, speaking in English during a news conference in Jerusalem with Bulgaria's prime minister.
"Those in the international community who refuse to put red lines before Iran don't have a moral right to place a red light before Israel," he said.
Shortly after the statement, the White House said Mr. Obama won't meet Mr. Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly this month because of scheduling differences, the White House said Tuesday.
"The President arrives in New York for the U.N. on Monday, September 24th and departs on Tuesday, September 25th. The Prime Minister doesn't arrive in New York until later in the week. They're simply not in the city at the same time," National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a statement.
Mr. Vietor said senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, would meet Mr. Netanyahu in New York.
An administration official said Mr. Obama will not hold any bilateral meetings with leaders at UN General Assembly this year.
Washington wants to give diplomacy and sanctions more time to try to pressure Iran to abandon its suspect nuclear work. In a message aimed at Israel, it said several times this week that deadlines or "red lines" are counterproductive.
But Mr. Netanyahu said peaceful methods aren't working, and Iran is getting closer to acquiring a nuclear bomb. His remarks have generated speculation Israel is readying to strike on its own.
The remarks could play into the presidential election by giving Mitt Romney ammunition to appeal to Jewish voters by arguing that President Obama hasn't backed Israel enough against Iran.