Congress — though not all of Congress — sat in on a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu was invited to speak to the predominately Republican audience regarding President Obama’s talks with Iran regarding the ease of existing sanctions and potential for a nuclear energy program.

Netanyahu believes that the plan represents a “very bad deal” and that Iran will inevitably seek to create a nuclear weapon and — equally as inevitably — use it against Israel. The speech was widely boycotted by Democrats, including President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, who were away tending to other matters.

Netanyahu has received criticism for the speech as he has seemingly made contradictory statements regarding Iran’s potential for creating a nuclear weapon. He was in the United States almost 20 years ago making the same arguments, but nothing has come of his fears. Regardless of political opinion regarding the potential reconstruction of U.S.-Iranian relations and fear of nuclear proliferation, there should be no argument about the inappropriate nature of Netanyahu’s visit.

Not only does the Republican invitation represent a clear and unabashed disrespect of presidential initiative — not a promising indication of bipartisanship for the next two years — but it also flies in the face of accepted policy for heads of state who are facing upcoming elections, which will take place March 17 for Netanyahu.

To be clear, no one wants a nuclear armed Iran. Not Netanyahu, not Congress, not Obama. So Netanyahu’s speech is in many ways pointless. Obama is not bargaining for Iran’s nuclear weapons program, but only a slow path to a nuclear energy program. Additionally, the U.S. has little ground to stand on in telling Iran not to pursue nuclear energy as Obama has made cleaner energy a goal for the United States, as well as the world at large.

Israel is our principal ally in the region, but Netanyahu and Obama have rarely seen eye to eye and Israel has consistently contributed to geopolitical conflict for the United States — establishing settlements on politically neutral or Palestinian land — in direct violation of U.S. directives. So Netanyahu’s argument that Iran will not play by the rules if granted enhanced nuclear privileges may fall on deaf ears in the White House.

Netanyahu has always argued for stability in the Middle East. In 2002, he told Congress that removing Saddam Hussein from power would stabilize the region and perhaps even lead to the fall of a dangerous Iranian regime. However, Obama’s negotiations with Iran, if they are agreeable to both parties and can pass through a Republican Congress, will give the United States an improved relationship — the likes of which we have not had with Iran since before the revolution of 1979 — with a nation that is considered by many to be among our most bitter enemies.

Obama’s desires at their core are the same as Netanyahu’s — a Middle East that is not seemingly perpetually on the edge of armageddon.

Bringing Iran back to the table will help with efforts to contain and eradicate Daesh, alleviate international tensions in the region and hopefully create lasting peace. But this only happens if Israel and Netanyahu step back from making destructive speeches while historically significant negotiations are in progress.