(JNS) U.S. House of Representatives Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Monday, August 7 in Jerusalem that judicial reform should have no bearing on American military support for Israel.

Speaking to Israeli journalists about the divisive domestic debate regarding the ruling coalition’s legislative initiative, the New York lawmaker expressed the importance of maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge “regardless of where Israel lands in terms of the judicial reform effort.”

Jeffries, who is leading a delegation of 24 House Democrats to Israel this week, also commented on perceived challenges to democracy in both the United States and Israel.

“The ties that bind us together in the context of democracy are powerful ones. It is important during a time at which both of our countries are facing concerns that the fabric of our democracies are being undermined, that we both emerge from this period of time with democracy strengthened, not weakened,” said Jeffries.

He also remarked that the protests in Israel are “a sign of a vibrant democracy.”

Jeffries also assured that the Democratic Party’s support for Israel will continue amid concerns about the stance of some of the party’s progressive members.