- January 8, 2024
Kelly Visits Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia as Part of Bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee Delegation
This is Kelly’s second trip to Israel since the October 7th terror attack
Today, Arizona Senator and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Member Mark Kelly returned from a bipartisan trip to Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia to meet with U.S. security officials, foreign leaders, and families of victims taken hostage during the October 7th attack.
This was Kelly’s second trip to Israel since the attack. The trip focused on the ongoing war in Gaza, as well as long-term U.S. interests and challenges in the region, including strengthening bonds with partners and the threats posed by Iran and proxy groups.
“Hearing the pain of families with loved ones still being held hostage by Hamas is a vivid reminder of the brutality of this terrorist group and the threat they continue to pose to Israel and others for as long as they hold power in Gaza. This trip was an important opportunity to assess the progress towards defeating Hamas and freeing the remaining hostages, while also preventing further escalation across the region,” Kelly said.
Kelly continued, “Equally important was to communicate to Israeli leaders—just as I did when I was there in October—that they must make every effort to protect innocent Palestinians. I specifically raised with Israeli officials the reported use of unguided munitions, an issue I have spoken about publicly as well. As an ally, we have a responsibility to stand with Israel and also to state clearly both in public and in private that they must do more to keep innocent Palestinian civilians safe.”
In Israel, Kelly and the delegation met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. In Jordan and Saudi Arabia, Kelly and the delegation were briefed by U.S. diplomatic and security officials. They also met with HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where Kelly spoke about his time in Operation Desert Storm and opportunities to strengthen their countries’ long military relationship to tackle shared threats like Iran.
