Israeli premier accepts Boehner invitation to speak to Congress in March

JERUSALEM – Israel's prime minister says he has accepted House of Representatives leader John Boehner's invitation to address the U.S. Congress.

Boehner invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to a joint meeting of Congress in February and push for new sanctions against Iran. Netanyahu said he would come in March. The White House called the invitation a breach of protocol.

A statement from Netanyahu's office Thursday didn't refer to the spat. It said the speech will give him the chance to "thank President Barack Obama, Congress and the American people for their support of Israel."

Netanyahu was quoted as saying that the invitation "reflects the special friendship between Israel and the U.S."

Netanyahu, who is seeking re-election in March, has had cool ties with Obama but enjoys wide support in Congress.