Zeldin To Co-Chair House GOP Israel Caucus

Congressman-elect Lee Zeldin of Long Island, the only Jewish Republican in the incoming 114th Congress, was elected co-chair of the 100-member House Republican Caucus. 

Other co-chairs are Reps Peter Roskam of Illinois, Doug Lamborn of Colorado and Leonard Lance of New Jersey. 

Roskam, in announcing the appointment, stressed the strategic relationship between the United States and Israel but made no mention of the search for peace with the Palestinians.

Neither did Zeldin in his response to his selection. He called Israel "a most important strategic partner" and said, "A threat to Israel is a threat to the United States."

The group describes itself as "committed to enhancing the U.S.-Israel relationship through enacting meaningful legislation and coordinating educational initiatives with top policy experts and thought leaders."

There will be 18 Jewish Democrats in the incoming House plus nine Democrats in the Senate and one Independent.