Biden Speaks With Congressional Delegation Following Trip to Israel

Ahead of his own trip to Israel on Thursday, President Joe Biden convened a call on Tuesday with the bipartisan congressional delegation that just returned from a trip to Israel amid the war that has engulfed the Middle East.

The United States has vowed unflinching support for Israel following the surprise attack by Hamas last week, which has promoted extreme violence along the Gaza Strip.

While visiting Israel, Schumer said the group was rushed to shelter in Tel Aviv to wait out airstrikes he said had been intitiated by Hamas.

After meeting with Israeli officials on Sunday, Schumer said he plans to push for legislative aid for Israel before the Senate.

“As Senate majority leader, as I mentioned, the highest-ranking Jewish leader in American history, I’m doing everything in my power to ensure the Senate delivers the support Israel needs to accomplish these military, intelligence and humanitarian goals,” Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the Senate, said. “We will not just talk; we will act.”

Congress members that traveled to Israel and participated in the debrief call with thew president include Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-L.A., Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Jacky Rosen, D-N.V., and Mitt Romney, R-Utah, as well as White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Counselor to the President Steve Ricchetti, Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer and Director of Legislative Affairs Shuwanza Goff.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also traveled to Israel last week.