There is much wrong with House Speaker John Boehner's decision to circumvent the White House and invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress March 3, and much wrong with the prime minister's decision to accept.

Speaker Boehner is injecting the United States into the domestic affairs of Israel, most particularly its elections. The March 17 election in Israel is close.

The Zionist Union (headed by the Labor Party) wants the election focused on the economy and domestic issues, with many Israelis upset with the cost of living and particularly of housing.

Mr. Netanyahu would prefer that the election turn on foreign policy and fears about Iran's nuclear intentions. By giving him the forum of a speech before the U.S. Congress, Speaker Boehner is favoring Netanyahu and his Likud Party, something he has no business doing.

By circumventing the Democratic president, Speaker Boehner, a Republican, also stirs up partisanship in the relationship, a move that does not serve the interests of the United States or its long-term ally, Israel.

The United States and its bargaining partners - Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany - appear to be at a critical stage in trying to close an agreement with Iran in preventing that country from pursuing a nuclear weapon for at least a decade, according to news reports on the talks. Inviting Mr. Netanyahu to make what is sure to be a fiery speech before Congress can only be seen as an effort to undermine the administration's efforts to reach a deal.

This is not to say the prime minister is not entitled to his opinion. His priority must be the protection of Israel. Mr. Netanyahu fears the deal under discussion will not offer sufficient safeguards to stop Iran from ultimately obtaining nuclear weapons that would present a grave danger.

However, providing Mr. Netanyahu the venue of Congress to make those arguments without coordinating with the White House is out of order. Mr. Netanyahu knows this.

Yet it is hard to see what Democratic lawmakers will accomplish by boycotting. If anything, such a symbolic act plays into Speaker Boehner's partisan game, providing the opportunity to paint those Democrats who do not attend as anti-Israel.

They should listen to the speech, as inappropriate as the timing and locale may be.