John Boehner

Rep. John Boehner, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, spoke to a Chabad synagogue in Florida.

Boehner (R-Ohio), addressing the Shul of Bal Harbour on Sunday, said his affection for Israel dates back to his days as a state lawmaker in Ohio, when he accepted a colleague's invitation to visit the country.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- A delegation of Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives led by Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the minority leader, arrived in Israe and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahul.

The sides discussed "U.S.-Israel relations and regional security issues," said a statement Sunday, after the delegation arrived.

(JTA) -- President Obama will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House for talks.

The meeting will be held on May 20 in the Oval Office, and the effort to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process reportedly will be the main item on the agenda.

"The leaders look forward to discussing the full range of issues of mutual interest to the United States and Israel," the White House said in a statement issued Wednesday evening.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Rep. John Boehner, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, said he plans to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of Congress.

WASHINGTON (JTA) – A combination of calculation, luck and principles are steering the Obama administration to emphasize democracy and human rights in the Middle East in the post-Mubarak era.

On Tuesday, President Obama laid out a revamped strategy that takes into account U.S. strategic interests in the region while also emphasizing the need to accommodate uprisings that have swept away governments in Egypt and Tunisia, as well as protests nipping at U.S. allies in Barhain, Jordan and Yemen.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- A historic Republican sweep of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday has propelled Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the minority whip, to the verge of becoming the highest-ranking Jew in U.S. political history.

"We are excited for Eric Cantor to become the next House Majority leader," said Matt Brooks, director of the Republican Jewish Coalition. "The highest ranking Jew to ever serve in the House!"