Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) issued the following statement in advance of his meeting, along with other Jewish Members of Congress, Tuesday afternoon with President Barack Obama at the White House to discuss US-Israel relations. Rep. Engel is a senior member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, and a long-time supporter of a strong U.S./Israeli alliance.

“It is always an honor to meet with the President of the United States, especially on an issue so vital to our national security. Israel has long been our best, and at times, only friend in the Middle East. Yet, the threats facing the Jewish state today are unprecedented. From the Iranian nuclear weapons program to the missiles in the hands of Hezbollah and Hamas terrorists, the United States must stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally, Israel. We must not be distracted by recent unfortunate disagreements. Rather, we must reaffirm the strength of our ties and understand that in a relationship between friends, as in family, there will be some disagreements. Through quiet dialogue, we will overcome differences and learn from each other, and, in turn, our nations will become stronger and our relationship deeper.

“I look forward to an exchange of views with the President because I believe that helping to strengthen the U.S./Israel relationship is our common goal.”