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US, EU battle Netanyahu for public's trust on Iran

Israeli leader sees Congress as crucial backstop against "bad deal."
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he addresses the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference in Washington, March 2, 2015. Netanyahu said on Monday that the alliance between his country and the United States is "stronger than ever" and will continue to improve. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR4RS6O

US and Israeli officials are locked in a high-stakes battle to gain public support on how best to deal with Iran's nuclear program.

With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealing directly to Congress to stop what he considers a bad deal, the White House and its European allies are telling all who will listen that they will always have Israel's back. The dueling narratives were on full display at the pro-Israel lobby of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) policy conference March 2 and behind the scenes amid what looks to be the final stretch to getting an agreement.

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