Netanyahu hears reassurances from Congress

WASHINGTON, March 6 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu visited Capitol Hill Tuesday and heard bipartisan expressions of support for opposition to Iran's nuclear program.

"The United States Congress will always stand by Israel, and the United States Congress will never allow Israel to stand alone," House Speaker John Boehner said.

Boehner, R-Ohio, said the Iranian nuclear threat "cannot be ignored," a position echoed by former Democratic Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California.

"I associate myself with our remarks in terms of our commitment to the security of Israel," Pelosi told reporters. "Rejecting containment of Iran and stopping them, preventing them from having a nuclear weapon is in our interests. It's in the interest of Israel and the region. It would be a threat to the United States and to the world."

Netanyahu praised both parties for coming together on opposition to Iran's nuclear development program.

Netanyahu met with President Obama at the White House Monday and Monday night told the Jewish activists at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Israel can't wait forever for diplomacy and sanctions to deter Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

"I think that, as we face the challenges that confront our world, the world of the United States, Israel, the free nations, and in fact all the nations of the world today, those great challenges require really three qualities to address them successfully. The three are clarity, courage and wisdom," he said.