(Haaretz).Though American Jews make up around 2 percent of the population, they have always enjoyed ample representation in Congress, where they account for around 8 percent of legislators. Only one of them is a Republican, but Rep. Eric Cantor, who will visit Israel this month, says Jews belong in the Republican Party.
"I'm a firm believer there is a big place for the American Jewish Community in the Republican Party," says Cantor, 46, a Virginian seen as one of his party's great promises.
He says he decided to head the delegation of congressmen to visit Israel this month to counteract the "alarming" line that the U.S. administration under President Barack Obama has adopted toward Israel.
"Now it is so important for us to work together as Republicans, members of Congress - the House and Senate - to enhance the U.S.-Israel relationship, especially given where this administration seems to be heading," he says.
"I'm very alarmed," Cantor adds when asked about the state of this relationship. "I think it starts with the White House. That's why I'm feeling very strongly about going to Israel next week. To communicate to Benjamin Netanyahu's government where Congress is."
Most congressmen support Israel and "feel very strongly that a priority for focus" should be Iran's nuclear drive, Cantor says. The visit also aims to show that Washington's opposition to natural growth in the settlements "is not a monolithic position," Cantor says.
"I'm a firm believer there is a big place for the American Jewish Community in the Republican Party," says Cantor, 46, a Virginian seen as one of his party's great promises.
He says he decided to head the delegation of congressmen to visit Israel this month to counteract the "alarming" line that the U.S. administration under President Barack Obama has adopted toward Israel.
"Now it is so important for us to work together as Republicans, members of Congress - the House and Senate - to enhance the U.S.-Israel relationship, especially given where this administration seems to be heading," he says.
"I'm very alarmed," Cantor adds when asked about the state of this relationship. "I think it starts with the White House. That's why I'm feeling very strongly about going to Israel next week. To communicate to Benjamin Netanyahu's government where Congress is."
Most congressmen support Israel and "feel very strongly that a priority for focus" should be Iran's nuclear drive, Cantor says. The visit also aims to show that Washington's opposition to natural growth in the settlements "is not a monolithic position," Cantor says.
