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Last updated on: March 01, 2015 12:41 PM
Two days ahead of a controversial speech in Washington by Israel’s prime minister, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is attempting to shore up the countries’ relationship amid diplomatic friction.
“The prime minister of Israel is welcome to speak in the United States, obviously, and we have a closer relationship with Israel right now in terms of security than in any time in history,” Kerry told ABC television’s This Week program.
Before leaving for Washington on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was on a “historic mission” to try to stop a nuclear deal with Iran.
Netanyahu is expected to address lawmakers in Washington on Tuesday.
Break with tradition
He surprised Washington earlier this year by announcing a visit at the invitation of Speaker of the House John Boehner, breaking with historical protocol of coordinating with the White House.
The invitation by Republicans in Congress has divided Americans.
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