Following the horrific terrorist attacks last weekend on Israel by Iran-backed Hamas, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) led a bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation known as a CODEL to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and Israel where she met with Israeli leaders and American citizens.
“The world has witnessed the horrors of an emboldened Iran unleashing its terror proxies in the Middle East, taking American lives, and wreaking havoc on one of our strongest allies,” said Sen. Ernst on Oct. 11. “Iran cannot face the strength of our nations when we are working hand-in-hand to accomplish our security goals and to protect American lives.”
As co-chair of the U.S. Senate Abraham Accords Caucus, Sen. Ernst said she was proud to bring bipartisan support to Israel in the face of aggression.
“Being in the region, I am reminded of the reason we must continue the progress of the accords and why it is critical to affirm our commitments to our allies and partners, especially Israel,” said Sen. Ernst, who was joined on the trip by five fellow congressional members, including U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).
The congressman said that the actions of Hamas against the Israeli people during its attack demonstrated their terrorist intent to kill Jews, kill the Jewish Society, and kill any attempts toward peace.
“Although the purpose of our trip was to talk about the potential for peace agreements in the Middle East, the attack prompted us to shift our focus to the war,” said Rep. Panetta. “That’s why it was important for our delegation to put boots on the ground in Israel so that we could hear directly from Israelis about the heinous assault upon their people, as well as their heroic determination to ensure that it never happens again to their nation.”
Moreover, he added, the visit allowed the CODEL to express that as members of the United States Congress, they “stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel so that they can go toe-to-toe with the terrorists to eradicate Hamas, protect the Jewish society, and promote our humanity.”
Highlights from the CODEL’s trip include a meeting between Sen. Ernst, CODEL members, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, advisor Ron Dermer, opposition leader Yair Lapid, as well as both Israeli and American civilians. During her visit, Sen. Ernst reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel, according to information provided by her staff.
In the United Arab Emirates, Sen. Ernst discussed the importance of the U.S.-Emirati partnership with the Chief of Defense Issa Al Mazrouei and met with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss how the U.S. and the Emirates might work together to strengthen their strategic relationship, the information says.
Sen. Ernst in Saudi Arabia hosted a business roundtable on innovation and infrastructure development, greeted troops at Prince Sultan Air Base, toured the F16 and F35 squadrons, and met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
While in Bahrain, Sen. Ernst met with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and his cabinet, as well as the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command to discuss the war in Israel, Iranian malign activity in the Gulf, and Naval efforts to counter Iranian sanctions evasion, according to the information provided. She also saw cutting-edge technology at Task Force 59, which is the Navy’s Robotics and Artificial Intelligence operation that brings together over a dozen international partners to witness the detection and deterrence of Iran’s illicit maritime actions.
And in Jordan, Sen. Ernst and the CODEL met with Ambassador Yael Lempert and King Abdullah II to discuss efforts to support Israel and deter Iran and its proxies, states the information.