Kerry says Netanyahu welcome to speak in U.S. ‘at any time’

The White House said the invitation from House Speaker John Boehner to have the Israeli leader address Congress broke established protocol.

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(JTA) — Secretary of State John Kerry said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is welcome to speak in the United States “at any time.”

Kerry’s statement Wednesday came a day after House Speaker John Boehner invited Netanyahu to speak to a joint session of Congress next month regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The Obama administration did not receive prior notice of the address, which Kerry called “a little unusual,” according to the French news agency AFP.

On Wednesday, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the invitation broke established protocol, as arrangements for Netanyahu to visit are generally coordinated with the Obama administration.

RELATED: Netanyahu speech to Congress postponed three weeks.

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