Netanyahu welcomes U.S. Democratic Congressional delegation headed by House Minority leader Jeffries

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted a visiting delegation of U.S. Congressional Democrats in Jerusalem on Monday. The American delegation was headed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and also included Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Gregory Meeks, Sara Jacobs, Dean Philips and Yvette Clarke.

The meeting comes amid strained diplomatic ties between the U.S. President Joe Biden's administration in Washington, D.C. and the Netanyahu's administration.

“The prime minister thanked Congressman Jeffries and the members of the delegation for their support for the State of Israel and emphasized to them the importance of the relationship between Israel and the United States,” according to statement by the prime minister's office following the high-level meeting in Jerusalem.

Turning to Middle East issues, Netanyahu and his American guests discussed the need to stop the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons and to expand the circle of peace between Israel and the Arab world.

Critics have long accused the conservative Israeli prime minister for favoring ties with U.S. Republicans over Democrats. Netanyahu confirmed during a recent CBS News interview on “Face the Nation” that he would greet Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during his visit to the Jewish state later this week.

“Of course, I’ll meet with everyone, why not?” answered Netanyahu the CBS host Margaret Brennan.

DeSantis is a potential 2024 U.S. presidential candidate, however the Israeli premier denied having ever endorsed any particular candidate for any position.

“I’ve never endorsed any candidate for any job in America,” said Netanyahu.

American society has undergone dramatic demographic and ideological shifts in recent years, with polls suggesting that there is robust Republican support for the Jewish state. However, a Gallup poll released in March revealed that, for the first time, more Democrats sympathize with the Palestinian Authority than with Israel.