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 to U.S.-Israel relations.

Democrats simmered in frustration last week as they faced a thankless choice between defending their president and defending the Jewish state they consider a crucial 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 even-handed 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 have repeatedly 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 midterm elections, an especially bad year for their party.