Queens Congressman Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Relations, during an interview Wednesday on the Israel-Hamas war, said "both sides want peace."

"I visited Israel and visited Palestine. People on both sides want peace," he said, but stressed that Hamas is a terrorist organization that is harming both Israeli and Palestinian people. "When one says Israel does not have the right to exist, we know what that means - that means that they don't want peace. They want to wipe it out. And that can happen."

Meeks, who appeared on "Mornings On 1" expects President Joe Biden during his visit to Israel to emphasize the United States' unwavering support for Israel's right to self-defense.

"I think the president will make sure that the state of Israel knows that the United States stands solidly behind Israel's right to defend itself, and that we will make sure that Hamas, which is a terrorist organization, that they will pay the price," he said.

Meeks vowed that Congress would join Biden in offering support to Israel but noted that nothing can be done without a speaker of the House. Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker earlier this month.

Voting for the House speaker is expected to continue Wednesday after Republican nominee Jim Jordan failed to reach the 217 votes needed to win.

Meeks stressed that he hopes Republicans can join together with Democrats to reach a bipartisan solution so that Congress can get back to work.

"There's too many things that are extremely important for us not to get back in session," he said. "There's things that we must do for the benefit of the American people. And we cannot do it without an open House of Representatives."