Budd discusses his recent journey to the Middle East with journalists

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US Senators Ted Budd and Joni Ernst Advocate for American Hostages in the Middle East

North Carolina Republican US Sen. Ted Budd recently held a call with reporters to discuss his recent trip to the Middle East with Sen. Joni Ernst from Iowa. The trip included visits to Israel, Iraq, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates, where they met with various leaders and military personnel to discuss critical issues affecting the region.

One of the main topics of discussion during the trip was the state of the hostage negotiations involving American citizens, including North Carolina native Keith Siegel. Budd and Ernst met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel to discuss hostage negotiations, military operations in Gaza, and combating anti-Semitism worldwide.

During their visit, the senators also had the opportunity to meet with the families of US hostages, including Siegel’s wife, Adrienne “Aviva” Siegel, and their daughter. Budd emphasized that they are working tirelessly to put pressure on Hamas to release Siegel and the other hostages immediately and unconditionally.

In Iraq and northeast Syria, Budd and Ernst met with US forces who are actively engaged in operations to defeat ISIS and counter Iranian aggression. They received briefings from US military special operations commanders and emphasized the importance of strong American leadership in the region.

Budd expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet and dine with US service members deployed in the region, many of whom are from North Carolina. He highlighted the bravery and valor of these men and women, emphasizing that they are what make the nation strong and free.

When asked about the status of Siegel and the other hostages, Budd acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding their well-being. He dismissed recent propaganda videos released by Hamas as unreliable and stressed the importance of supporting Israel in their efforts to secure the release of the hostages.

Budd and Ernst also raised concerns about the Biden Administration’s decision to withhold critical ammunition, including precision-guided munitions, from Israel. They sent a letter demanding an explanation for this decision and called for the immediate resumption of weapons shipments to Israel.

In response to questions about Prime Minister Netanyahu’s handling of the hostage situation, Budd expressed confidence in Netanyahu’s commitment to securing the release of the hostages. He also defended Israel’s operations in Gaza, attributing civilian casualties to Hamas’ use of human shields and expressing concern over the lack of precision-guided munitions being provided to Israel.

Budd also addressed the recent pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, condemning the use of genocidal rhetoric and emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He expressed concern over the vacuum of US leadership in the region and called on the Biden Administration to take decisive action to support Israel and bring the hostages home.

Overall, Budd and Ernst’s trip to the Middle East highlighted the complex challenges facing the region and the importance of strong American leadership in addressing them. Their advocacy for American hostages and support for Israel underscored their commitment to promoting peace and security in the region.