Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayahu says the Israeli-American alliance is stronger than ever.
He has been highly critical of the U.S. led negotiations with Iran over a nuclear deal.
But in a speech in Washington ahead of an address to Congress, he said his appearance was not intended to show any disrespect to President Obama.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington
IN: "Benjamin Netanyahu…"
OUT: SOC
DUR: 2'22"
AIR: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0302netanyahu-kf-air.mp3
ARN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0302netanyahu-kf-arn.mp3
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0302netanyahu-kf-generic.mp3
G24: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0302netanyahu-kf-g24.mp3
ICRT: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0302netanyahu-kf-icrt.mp3
NIGERIA: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0302netanyahu-kf-von.mp3
RNZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0302netanyahu-kf-rnz.mp3
VATICAN: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0302netanyahu-kf-vat.mp3
ZIZ: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0302netanyahu-kf-ziz.mp3
VO: Benjamin Netanyahu's comments to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee kicked off a charged visit that has sparked criticism in both the U.S. and Israel.
NETANYAHU: "Reports of the demise of the US israeli relations is not only premature – they're just wrong.""Our alliance is stronger than ever, it's going to get even stronger in the coming days."
VO: The centerpiece of his trip will be an address to Congress, which came at the invitation of congressional Republicans and was not coordinated with the White House. But he said it was not meant to be a snub to the president.
NETANYAHU: "my speech is not intended to show… I have great respect for both".
VO: Addressing delegates ahead of Netanyahu, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power spoke warmly of the ties between the longtime allies and defended Obama's pursuit of an accord with Iran, saying the president shared Israel's commitment to preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
POWER:
"There will never be a sunset on america's commitment to Israel's security, never.
Diplomacy is the preferred route to secure our shared aim but if diplomacy should fail, we know the stakes of a nuclear-amred Iran as well as everyone here. We will not let it happen."
VO: But Netanyahu said that a deal with Iran could threaten his country's very survival:
"Iran vows to annihilate Israel. If it has nuclear weapons, it would have the means to achieve that goal. We must not let that happen."
VO: Even as Netanyahu spoke, Secretary of State John Kerry was opening a new round of talks with Iran in Switzerland aimed at reaching deal ahead of a late March deadline.
Before leaving Israel for Washington, PM Netanyahu described his trip as a 'fateful, even historic mission'. His speech today, while in many ways an attempt to lower the tensions surrounding his visit, was nonetheless the opening salvo in that battle. And many predict he'll save the heavy fire for his address to Congress. Kate Fisher, Washington