Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a bipartisan delegation of senators were forced to seek shelter in Tel Aviv after Hamas launched a barrage of rockets while the lawmakers were preparing to meet with Israeli leaders. Schumer, a Democrat from New York, took to social media to share a photo of himself, along with Republican Senator Mitt Romney of Utah and others, standing in a close-quarters shelter. The incident highlights the challenges faced by Israelis and the need for support to defend against such attacks.
Schumer, who is the first Jewish Senate majority leader and the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the US, led a delegation that included Republican Senators Romney and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, as well as Democratic Senators Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Mark Kelly of Arizona. The senators were engaged in productive meetings with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and senior opposition figure Benny Gantz, who is part of a newly formed wartime cabinet in Israel.
Discussions centered around the support Israel requires for both military and humanitarian operations. Schumer emphasized his commitment to providing Israel with the necessary assistance to defend itself from the ongoing attacks. The delegation’s visit comes at a time when an Israeli ground assault on Gaza is imminent, following a surprise attack by Hamas militants that resulted in the deaths of 1,300 Israelis, predominantly civilians, and the capture of dozens of hostages.
While negotiations continue, Schumer expressed his expectation that any spending package should include aid for both Israel and Ukraine. Additionally, he mentioned the possibility of aid for Taiwan in light of threats from Beijing and funding for border security in the United States.
The visit by Schumer and his colleagues follows recent trips to Israel by high-ranking US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The international community remains closely engaged in efforts to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
In conclusion, the incident involving the bipartisan US delegation seeking shelter in Tel Aviv due to Hamas rocket attacks underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Israel and the importance of providing support to defend against such threats. The visit by Schumer and his colleagues demonstrates the commitment of US politicians to engage with Israeli leaders and work towards finding solutions to the conflict.
