He’s faced criticism from some quarters that his administration’s support of Israel has been lackluster at best, but President Obama told a gathering of wealthy Jewish supporters Wednesday evening that no other administration has been as committed to the longtime U.S. ally.

“This administration – I try not to pat myself too much on the back – but this administration has done more in terms of the security of the state of Israel than any previous administration,” Obama said at a private high-dollar fundraiser in New York’s upper East Side attended by about 30 people who paid $10,000 each. The event was hosted by Jack Rosen, the chairman of the American Jewish Congress.

“Whether it’s making sure that our intelligence cooperation is effective, to making sure that we’re able to construct something like an iron dome so that we don’t have missiles raining down on Tel Aviv, we have been consistent in insisting that we don’t compromise when it comes to Israel’s security,” the president added.

The president’s less-than warm relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as his endorsement for Palestinian statehood negotiations to follow the pre-1967 lines has drawn fire from some critics in the Jewish community. Israelis argue that returning to the former configuration would leave population centers vulnerable and displace settlers.
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