Rep. Cantor says Congress's broad support for Israel could be weakening

The only Jewish Republican in the House of Representatives said Sunday that Congress's broad support for Israel could be deteriorating.

"The possibility is there," House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) told the Jerusalem Post, saying that Congress's support for Israel could weaken.

"There have been incidences of late that do indicate that we have challenges on that front, and I'm very committed to doing everything I can to make sure that Congress remains Israel's strongest ally in the quest for what it needs in terms of its security," he said before the Jewish Federations of North America's General Assembly.

Cantor did not mention anything specific to indicate challenges to Congress's pro-Israel stance, but said the Obama adminstration's Middle East policies could be driving a change in attitude. 

"I have a lot of concerns about what I have seen lately, about the continued desire to try to engage with Iran and about pressure being applied to Israel in terms of concessions in the name of peace," Cantor said. "Israel is a pillar in our national security strategy and we ought to be emphasizing every bit of our commitment to Israel right now as it faces an existential threat."

President Barack Obama was scheduled to speak at the General Assembly Tuesday, but canceled his appearance to appear at the memorial service for victims of the Fort Hood shooting. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, who is Jewish, will speak in Obama's place.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who is in Washington to speak at the General Assembly on Monday, was to meet with Obama Monday afternoon.