(JNS.org) Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), while visiting Israel on Monday, said the U.S.-Israel alliance is “more important than ever.” Ryan said that during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the leaders discussed United Nations resolutions “and any problems they \pose.” Past reports have suggested that President Barack Obama, who is in his final year in office, may attempt to pass a U.N. Security Council resolution on the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process. France, another permanent member of the Security Council, might present its own resolution on the peace process.

Ryan also met with his counterpart, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, and emphasized that he chose Israel as his first trip abroad as House speaker. “I wanted to come to Israel first to emphasize how important the U.S.’s commitment to Israel and strong friendship with Israel is to us,” Ryan said. The House speaker was joined in Israel by U.S. Reps. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee; Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; and Rep. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.), ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats.