On Friday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) announced that she is en route to the Middle East with a bipartisan delegation of Senate colleagues led by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina). The Senators will be seeing the situation on the ground firsthand, meeting with leaders across the region, and emphasizing the United States’ unequivocal support for Israel in light of the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas.
“Today, I’m headed to the Middle East with a bipartisan group of my Senate colleagues led by Senator Lindsey Graham,” Sen. Britt said in a statement. “This trip signifies our continued, unequivocal, and resounding support for Israel and the right to defend herself against the barbaric attacks on innocent children, women, and men by Hamas terrorists. As a mom, as an American, and as a Christian, I am absolutely horrified by what we’ve seen. On our trip, my colleagues and I will advocate for stability in the Middle East as we work towards long-term sustainable peace that keeps Americans safe at home and abroad. I will continue to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the days and weeks and months ahead to ensure that Israel has everything it needs. Peace will only come through strength. The stability of the world, the region, the security of our own homeland, and the safety of our communities and families depend on it. Please pray for us in the coming days. Please pray for our great nation, and please continue to pray for Israel. Thank you, and God Bless.”
Due to security concerns, additional details are not being shared with the public. More information will be shared throughout the trip and when the delegation returns to the United States.
The official congressional delegation trip follows a trip by President Joe Biden to the Middle East. Israeli officials did meet with the President, but a planned trip to Jordan to meet with Jordanian, Egyptian, and Palestinian Authority Leaders was canceled after an Islamic Jihad rocket misfired, killing over 500 Palestinians in a hospital. Hamas initially reported that the hospital accident resulted from an Israeli air strike, enflaming tensions on the Arab streets. Israeli Intelligence then released captured telephone conversations between Palestinian commanders, acknowledging that an errant rocket struck the hospital. A United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas but ordering an immediate cease-fire by both sides – including Israeli operations against Hamas in Gaza – was vetoed by the United States.
Sen. Britt has denounced the attacks by Hamas on Israel – and to this point – has been a strong supporter of the Israeli response.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to evil,” Britt said. “We must stand firm with Israel, and I am hopeful that the Biden Administration will do much more than just refreezing the $6 billion that is headed to Iran. We know what to do. We’ve got to squeeze out any type of financial resources they’re getting through that. Through also working with our G7 colleagues to make sure that we return to a posture of maximum pressure, bone-crushing sanctions drying up each and every dollar that is headed to their hands. We know that Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorists. We know that. We know, they have told us, that their goal is to wipe Israel off the face of this earth. We need our leaders to stand firm and [hold] them accountable. And then knowing that Hamas not only wants to wipe out Israel but has said that they want to wipe out the Jewish people. To all of the people here in America, to those suffering and hurting in Israel, we want you to know we stand with you, and we stand ready to do everything possible to not only hold these people accountable but ensure your safety and prosperity moving forward.”
Katie Britt was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com
