Meanwhile in Jerusalem, a group of Republican lawmakers met with Israeli officials Tuesday in what they billed as a solidarity mission with the Israeli government. Republican Whip Eric Cantor spoke after meeting Israeli President Shimon Peres.

Republican Whip Eric Cantor: “We are here, first and foremost, to reconfirm the message that the US Congress stands staunchly on the side of Israel in its struggle, and we are here to figure out how to strengthen the US-Israel relationship.”

House Democrats will follow the Republicans later this month with a thirty-five-member delegation led by House Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.