TEL AVIV, Israel — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on social media that a bipartisan group of senators — including Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, of Arizona — visiting Israel were rushed to a shelter in Tel Aviv on Sunday to wait out a rocket attack from Hamas. Schumer posted a photo of himself and Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah in the shelter.
At a press conference from Tel Aviv, senators offered comments, and Kelly remarked on the fact that the senators were there ten months ago to celebrate the Abraham Accords – now, they are there for “exactly the opposite reason.”
“The meetings we had today were some of the toughest I’ve had in my two-and-a-half years in the United States Senate,” Kelly said during a press conference in Tel Aviv. “Some of the images and videos that we saw were like I’ve never seen in my life, and I spent 25 years of my life in the United States Navy.”
Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the United States, took the trip to show support for Israel ahead of an expected request from President Joe Biden for Congress to approve wartime funding for Israel as well as Ukraine. Schumer, a Democrat, has said he would also hold discussions with Israeli officials what kind of support the country would need for both military and humanitarian operations.
Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Democratic Sens. Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Kelly were also on the trip.
“I’m here to say you know the United States has and is going to continue to stand by our ally, Israel, as you defend yourself against these barbaric attacks by Hamas,” Kelly said.
Kelly said he has been following closely what has been going on in Israel and speaking with members of the Arizona Jewish community, which Kelly’s wife is also a member of.
“I bring a message of support from them, and from so many Americans who have been deeply affected by these attacks and are thinking about the Israeli people every single day,” Kelly said.
Kelly said while he has tried during his term to bring aid to Israel, what is happening now brings “this problem to a whole other entire level.”
“I will speak to members of Congress one by one if that’s what it takes to get Israel the munitions that you need to defend yourself,” Kelly said.
In addition to munition, Kelly said the United States is sending other support as well.
“The Hamas terrorist organization is a threat to Israel and all who want peace,” Kelly said. “And we are going to stand by Israel in its self defense.”
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