Netanyahu Snubs Obama, Calls Off Visit

The White House said Monday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined President Barack Obama’s request to meet in Washington, D.C., later this month. White House spokesman Ned Price said the administration first learned of the Netanyahu cancellation through Israeli media. “Reports that we were not able to accommodate the prime minister’s schedule are false,” he said. Netanyahu’s decision to nix the trip comes as the two countries grapple with negotiating a 10-year, multibillion-dollar defense aid agreement for Israel. Netanyahu was expected in Washington to also address the annual conference of the leading U.S. pro-Israel lobby, AIPAC.