The lone Jewish Republican in Congress says American leaders should present a united front in support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before lawmakers this morning.

In an interview with The Daily Signal, Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., called on his Jewish colleagues to uniformly embrace Netanyahu’s appearance before Congress and to empathize with Israel’s concern over a potential American nuclear deal with Iran.

“The Israeli prime minister, whoever that person is, should have an open invitation to come to America to speak to Congress and the American people,” said Zeldin, 35. “I want all my colleagues to attend and to embrace the prime minister’s visit and to listen to his important thoughts on the best way not only to strengthen the relationship between American and Israel, but to ensure we don’t negotiate a bad deal with Iran just to negotiate a deal.”

With some Jewish Democrats skeptical of House Speaker John Boehner’s unilateral invitation to Netanyahu to address Congress — believing the move was more partisan than productive — Zeldin reaffirmed his support for Israel’s political leaders, whoever they are.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Pete Marovich/Newscom)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Pete Marovich/Newscom)

He says that being the only Jewish Republican in Congress provides a platform for him to promote better “policy” with Israel, and he hopes Netanyahu’s speech does not overshadow the importance of the allies’ relationship.

“If I happen to be the only Jewish Republican, and I am as a result able to advocate for a stronger, more consistent foreign policy that helps keep my constituents safe and helps protect the freedoms and liberties of my nation, then I welcome that,” Zeldin said.

See The Daily Signal’s entire interview with Zeldin below, in the form a Q&A.

The Daily Signal: What do you want to hear from Netanyahu in his speech?

Zeldin: The prime minister’s visit will offer timely intelligence, experience and insight on the situation surrounding Iran and the potential deal being negotiated with a country that is a state sponsor of terrorism. Hopefully he will inform the American people of the seriousness of the threat we face.

A deal with Iran will lead to an increased nuclear arms race in a region filled with radical Islamic terrorism. And Israel is not the only country concerned with a nuclear Iran. I hope that point is stressed.

Q: Why is a potential nuclear deal with Iran so important to Israel?

A: The main possibility I fear with this negotiation is for the president to make a slew of permanent solutions in return for some temporary concessions.

I fear Iran continuing to be able to pursue uranium enrichment and to maintain several thousand centrifuges.

I fear Iran stonewalling weapons inspectors to ensure compliance.

I also fear the possibility that after the president announces the terms of the deal, that we will see the Iranian government refuting those terms.

Any of these possibilities would make the conclusion that we are better off with no deal than selling off to Iran.

I believe that Iran is not negotiating in good faith nor can be trusted.

Q: Why do you think Netanyahu’s visit has become so controversial?

A: There should be no conflict for where members of Congress should be tomorrow. And any type of partisanship that exists should be immediately ended the moment the people who are complaining about the visit choose to embrace the substance of it.

There should be no conflict for where members of Congress should be tomorrow,” says @leezeldin.

I understand the first 24 hours of a news cycle, some people want to talk about who was invited before who and debate what the right protocol was. But once you move past that first day or two, you need to move forward to the substance of a very important, historic speech.

I think it’s a lot of — there are a lot of Democrats who know that the negotiations with Iran are dangerous. The growing daylight between the Obama administration and Netanyahu is against America’s best interest. They are conflicted and not speaking out because they have a president in their own party.

I am speaking out because I think we need a foreign policy that identifies exactly who our friends are and who our enemies are.

Q: Are you comfortable being the voice of Jewish Republicans?

A: It’s all good. It’s for a good cause for [Netanyahu’s] speech.

If I happen to be the only Jewish Republican, and I am as a result able to advocate for a stronger, more consistent foreign policy that helps keep my constituents safe and helps protect the freedoms and liberties of my nation, then I welcome that.