WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) traveled to Israel and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen, Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, and Leader of the Opposition Yair Lapid.

The previously scheduled bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation to the Middle East was focused on pathways to peace and prosperity in the region before the attack on Israel. The delegation was the first to Israel since the Hamas attack.

“Our delegation was focused on the Abraham Accords and working toward historic agreements that would provide pathways to normalizing relationships in the Middle East. The delegation met with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and we went to bed with the dream of a secure Middle East that would prosper for generations. We then woke up to the nightmare that Hamas had carried out a horrific act of terrorism against Israel. Before making our way to Israel, the delegation also held productive talks with his Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain, and King Abdullah II of Jordan,” Rep. Norcross said.

“It was important for myself and my colleagues to travel to Israel to show the strength of the U.S.- Israel relationship and our unwavering bipartisan, bicameral unity for Israel and the Jewish people. Israel is our closest and most important ally in the Middle East, and they need our support now more than ever. We held productive meetings with Israeli officials and reiterated the commitment of Congress and the American people with Israel. Our relationship with Israel is key to global security and democracy in the Middle East and around the world, and we will continue to stand firmly with Israel. Having served in leadership on the House Armed Services Committee for a decade, I have taken more than a half dozen working trips to Israel to strengthen the ties between our two governments and armed forces. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the Biden Administration to ensure that Israel has the military and humanitarian aid and assistance it needs to defend and protect its people from these terrorists,” Rep. Norcross continued.

Remarks from Rep. Norcross can be found HERE. Pictures from the congressional delegation can be found HERE.