WASHINGTON - The Israeli prime minister's upcoming speech to Congress without President Barack Obama's blessing has angered Democratic lawmakers, but they see little remedy except to hope for minimal damage to their party and U.S.-Israel relations.

Democrats simmered in frustration as they faced a thankless choice between defending their president and defending a country they consider a vital ally.

Some gleeful Republicans predicted Democrats' complaints about Benjamin Netanyahu's March 3 speech will drive Jewish voters to the GOP.

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said Democrats are making a "catastrophic mistake" by protesting Netanyahu's plans.

"Traditionally, supporters of Israel have been really evenhanded in supporting candidates of both parties," Wilson said, but now "Democrats are slapping the friends of Israel in the face."

Democrats reject such talk, saying Republicans repeatedly have overstated their appeal to Jewish voters. Obama got 78 percent of the Jewish vote in 2008, and 69 percent in 2012, according to exit polls. Congressional Democrats won two-thirds of Jewish votes in last fall's elections, an especially bad year for their party.

Republicans want to portray Democrats as less supportive of Israel, "but no matter how much they try, they can't move Jewish voters on this issue," said Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the liberal pro-Israel group J Street.

House Democrats say Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, showed disrespect to the president - and perhaps cynical political goals - when he invited Netanyahu. Presidents can't veto congressional speakers, but they usually are consulted.

Many Democrats object for three reasons.

The invitation rebukes Obama. The speech, scheduled three weeks before Israel's elections, might be designed to boost Netanyahu's re-election hopes. And Netanyahu is certain to back new penalties against Iran that the Obama administration and Western powers argue could scuttle sensitive negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.

The speech is set for three weeks before the deadline for the U.S. and its international partners to reach a framework agreement with Iran that could provide an outline for a more comprehensive deal to be finalized by late June.

Netanyahu says an accord could make it easier for Iran eventually to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. Obama says he will reject any deal that doesn't safeguard Israel and other countries.

Still, some Democrats favor tougher sanctions. But they weren't pleased by Netanyahu's acceptance of Boehner's invitation. Soon after the speaker's announcement, several Democratic senators postponed their sanctions push, giving Obama and the negotiators more time.

Obama's chief concern about the break in protocol, his spokesman Josh Earnest said, "is to ensure that the strong relationship between the United States and Israel is protected from partisan politics."

In the House, several veteran Democrats say they won't attend Netanyahu's address. The way it was scheduled was "an affront to the president and the State Department," said Rep. John Lewis of Georgia.

Rep. G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina called Boehner's actions unprecedented, and that Netanyahu has "politicized" his U.S. visit. Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, the party's third-ranking House leader, also says he doesn't plan to attend.