Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio addressed an invitation-only crowd in West Palm Beach Friday morning to talk specifically about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Rubio was joined by Jewish and national security leaders at Temple Beth El, located at 2815 North Flagler Drive, in West Palm Beach, at 11:30 a.m.
He's discussed his commitment to stand with Israel as Jewish leaders continue to react to GOP frontrunner Donald Trump's comments during Thursday night's debate.
Trump reiterated that he would come from a position of neutrality if he gets the chance to negotiate a peace deal. It's a stance that is at odds with a broader feeling among Jewish leaders that the U.S. should be more sided with Israel.
While he described himself as pro-Israel, Trump said he would "like to at least have the other side think I'm somewhat neutral to them."
Rubio called Trump's policy anti-Israel.
"There is no peace deal possible with the Palestinians," Rubio said, adding "the Palestinian authority is not interested in a serious deal, and they are now in union with Hamas, an organization whose specific purpose is the destruction of the Jewish state."
Rubio is struggling to save his candidacy by energizing voters in his home state of Florida. The latest Quinnipiac University poll was released shows Trump ahead of Rubio among likely Florida Republican primary voters 45 to 22 percent, despite the hometown senator's vow to win at home.
"I need your help, we have to win here in Florida," Rubio told a crowd of supporters in Hialeah Wednesday. "It was always going to come down to Florida, this state is always in the middle of every political fight and it will be again."
Florida is the biggest prize of Tuesday's five-state round of voting. All 99 of the state's delegates will go to the winner.
NBC 6 anchor Jackie Nespral spoke to Marco Rubio Friday morning where he said he's "very confident we're going to win Florida." Hear more from her exclusive interview starting at 6 p.m. on NBC 6.
A conversation with Senator & Presidential candidate @marcorubio after the last debate before the FL primary. @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/EvtpZCgNz0 — Jackie Nespral (@JackieNBC6) March 11, 2016
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Stay with NBC 6 during updates on this developing story.
