Open to meeting

Top Foreign Affairs Democrat open to meeting with Netanyahu

"We're trying to arrange it, and I think that if that opportunity presents itself, I will avail myself," Rep. Gregory Meeks told reporters.

By ANTHONY ADRAGNA and JOE GOULD

Rep. Gregory Meeks, the House Foreign Affairs Committee's top Democrat, said his committee was working to try to set up a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he prepares to address to Congress on Wednesday.

"We're trying to arrange it, and I think that if that opportunity presents itself, I will avail myself," Meeks (D-N.Y.) told reporters Tuesday.

Meeks office later clarified he's not seeking a meeting, specifically, but is open to one if it's scheduled.

He added of his ongoing engagement with Netanyahu: "We'll have a dialogue, an open conversation, to see if we can get together with the Biden plan to get Hamas to agree and get the hostages home."

The office of the panel's chair, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), said he will be part of a group of lawmakers welcoming the prime minister but was not currently aware of other separate meetings.

The top four congressional leaders — Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — plan to welcome and meet with Netanyahu ahead of his speech.