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Saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not the spokesman of Jewish people and "Neither he nor his state represent world Jewry," the mayor of the Hasidic Village of Kiryas Joel has urged Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney not to attend the prime minister's address next week at a joint session of the US Congress.

"Your absence would send a clear message that your constituents want no part of Netanyahu's callousness toward the office of the President," Mayor Abraham Wieder wrote to Maloney in a letter dated Tuesday, February 24.

At issue is Netanyahu's acceptance to speak to Congress without first obtaining the President's consent "and without even the courtesy of consulting with the White House," Wieder wrote.

The prime minister's "acceptance signaled his intent to challenge the President's foreign policy on American soil. His unprecedented actions are a direct insult to the office of the President," the mayor said.

Maloney responded to Wieder's letter saying, "Congress has traditionally set aside partisanship to come together to promote the safety and security of our strategic ally, and I strongly disagree with Speaker Boehner's partisan and poorly timed decision. I continue to hope that all parties can make adjustments to ensure all supporters can be in attendance at this joint meeting of Congress."