WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, is leading a bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to further advance her cause. He visited the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and Israel. We will work to support peace in the region and deter Iranian aggression that threatens Americans, our partners, and our allies. In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack on Israel by Iran-backed Hamas, Mr. Ernst met with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and American nationals in Israel.
Rep. Ernst is joined by Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), and Rep. Donald Norcross (D.N.J.). ), and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) participated. -Florida).
“The world has witnessed the horror of an emboldened Iran unleashing its terrorist proxies in the Middle East, claiming American lives and wreaking havoc on one of our most powerful allies. As co-chair of the Senate Abraham Accords Caucus, I was proud to bring bipartisan support to Israel in the face of invasion. ” Ernst said. “Being in this region reminds us why we must continue to make progress on the agreement and why it is important to affirm our commitment to our allies and partners, especially Israel. Achieving our security goals Iran cannot counter the power of nations when they work together to And to protect American lives. ”
“Hamas carried out a horrific and bloodthirsty attack on the Israeli people. The barbarity, depravity and inhumanity committed by Hamas against the Israeli people during the attack resulted in the murder of Jews, the murder of Jewish associations, It demonstrated the terrorists’ intent to eliminate all attempts at peace.” Panetta said.. “The purpose of our trip was to talk about the possibility of a peace agreement in the Middle East, but this attack has forced us to shift our focus to war. It was important to step inside and hear firsthand from Israelis about the heinous assaults against their own people and their heroic determination to ensure it never happens to their country again. With this visit, we, as members of the U.S. Congress, will stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel to help Israel eradicate Hamas, protect the Jewish community, and confront terrorists head on to advance Jewish interests. We were able to express our humanity.”
“Senator Ernst, thank you for leading a bipartisan, bicameral Congressional delegation to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and spearheading a productive high-level diplomatic meeting. While it was tragic to be in the Middle East during the attacks, we also sent a reassuring message of support to Israel. “We will continue to look for ways to strengthen our alliances. We were also encouraged by meeting the dedicated military personnel in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, especially the Iowans.” said Miller-Meeks.
“We landed in one Middle East, and just a few days later we departed from a very different Middle East. The deadly terrorist rampage by Hamas marks a dark day for the region and a decisive turning point. Our meeting on the ground is a reminder that the United States and its allies must take the difficult days ahead seriously and ensure that we do not call out the name of terrorism. As America stands with Israel, we also pledge to support our friends in what they must do to protect their nation and defend the Israeli homeland. I am heartened that the leaders we met remain engaged and focused not only on this shocking act of terrorism, but also on the continuing threat posed by Iran now and in the future.To Congress has a critical role to play, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in this delegation on both sides of the aisle, in both the House and the Senate.” Issa said.
“It was important for me and my colleagues to visit Israel to demonstrate the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship and our unwavering bipartisan, bicameral solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people. Israel’s closest and most important ally needs our support now more than ever. We had productive conversations with Israeli officials and reiterated Congress and the American people’s commitment to Israel. Our relationship with Israel is key to global security and democracy in the Middle East and around the world, and we remain committed to our relationship with Israel.For 10 years, I served as leader of the House Armed Services Committee. I have traveled to Israel more than six times to strengthen the relationship between our two governments and militaries. I continue to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the Biden administration to help Israel protect its people from these terrorists. We will ensure that we have the military and humanitarian aid and support we need to protect and defend.” Norcross said.
“The hopeful prospects for broader Middle East peace that my colleagues in Congress and I were seeking came during this important visit, even after we all witnessed the brutal barbarism unleashed on Israel by Hamas.” It certainly reflected that.” Saidwasserman schultz. “I spoke with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Jordan before and after the start of that brutal war, and found that normalizing relations with Israel, our strongest democratic ally in the region, remains a priority for the Biden administration and regional leaders. We know that this is the goal of our mission, and we are confident that we will succeed. In the immediate aftermath of this barbaric attack, Israeli leaders, affected families, security forces and After getting involved, we saw how far forces opposed to lasting peace will go to stop it. This is the highest number of Jews killed in a single day since the Holocaust, and the highest number of Jews killed in a single day since the Holocaust. People told us this was like their version of America’s 9/11 attacks. I have visited Israel many times, but this trip was unlike any other. The brutality of the violence The stories from the families of the victims were shocking and heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to everyone who is still searching for their loved ones. May the memory of all those lost be a blessing. But all the losses we have witnessed must be supported by Israel to eliminate the Hamas terrorist network from Gaza and provide safety and security to its people. It only strengthens my resolve to do so. As Congress continues to come together in a bipartisan manner to ensure that the Jewish and Democratic nation has what it needs in this critical time, I stand with President Biden. Expressing unwavering support for the State of Israel and its people. As a Jew and a Zionist, I stand steadfastly for Israel. This bipartisan, bicameral system in the midst of such a tragic historical moment The journey has only strengthened my determination and commitment to the future survival and broader Middle East peace centered around her. I am Yisroel Chai!”
CODEL details include:
In the United Arab Emirates, Senator Ernst discussed the importance of the U.S.-Emirati partnership with Secretary of Defense Issa Al Mazrouei, and met with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to strengthen ties between the two countries. We discussed how we can work together to strengthen our strategic relationship. .
In Saudi Arabia, Senator Ernst hosted a business roundtable on innovation and infrastructure development. She also welcomed the troops at Prince Sultan Air Base and toured the F16 and F35 squadrons. Mr. Ernst also met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Senator Ernst meets in Bahrain with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, his cabinet, and the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command to counter the war in Israel, Iran’s malign activities in the Gulf, and Iranian sanctions We discussed the Navy’s efforts. Avoidance. She also toured cutting-edge technology at Task Force 59, the Navy’s robotics and artificial intelligence operation that brings together more than a dozen international partners to witness detection and deterrence of Iran’s illicit maritime activities.
Senator Ernst met with Ambassador Yael Lempert and King Abdullah II in Jordan. The two leaders discussed efforts to support Israel and deter Iran and its proxies.
In response to the Hamas attack in Israel, Sen. Ernst met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aide Ron Dermer, opposition leader Yair Lapid, and Israeli and American civilians. During her visit, she reaffirmed US support for her ally Israel.
background:
As co-chair of the Abraham Accords caucus, Ernst defense method The bill would strengthen the deal’s efforts to counter attacks from Iranian-backed extremists through air and missile defense capabilities.This year, she served as bipartisan leader. maritime law Senate-passed provision to unite Middle East partners against Iran’s maritime threat National Defense Authorization Act.
In April, Ernst and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) led a bipartisan push to call on President Biden to impose long-awaited sanctions on Iranian oil and gas shipments. She then sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to President Biden calling for a response to Iranian threats against American persons and American businesses that blocked the transfer. of oil seized from suez rajan The tanker was anchored off the coast of Texas for several months. Following her advocacy, illegal oil distribution began.
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