In an unusual broadcast, Fox News anchor Chris Wallace slammed Israeli Prime Minsiter Benjamin Netanyahu over his upcoming trip to the U.S. to deliver a speech to a joint sitting of Congress on March 3 – an invitation extended by Republican House Speaker John Boehner, and in violation of diplomatic protocol. It is the White House, not Congress, which usually invites world leaders to visit the country.

The invitation has been interpreted as an attempt by Netanyahu and his Republican allies to push through more Iran sanctions – a move that Obama has warned will damage the nuclear negotiations taking place with the Islamic Republic. Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry announced on Thursday that they will not meet Netanyahu during his U.S. trip because of the close proximity to the Israeli elections.

More on Netanyahu's controversial visit to the U.S.:

Livni, Lapid slam Netanyahu for 'ruining' ties with U.S.

Netanyahu snubs Obama, shocks the Jews and gambles on Iran and the elections

Congress invitation: A political stunt Netanyahu might regret

New Israel-U.S. spat is good news for Netanyahu