Ernst Leads Delegation, Fourth Trip to Israel Since Hamas Attack

(Washington, D.C.) -- Iowa U.S. Senator Joni Ernst and Iowa First District Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks have wrapped a trip to the Middle East. The Ernst-led delegation included stops in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar, and including a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and urged officials to work on a deal to release of American hostages.

“Every second counts when Americans are being held by Iran-backed Hamas. On my fourth trip to Israel since October 7, this delegation’s mission was clear: pave a way to bring our citizens home and decimate Iran-backed Hamas," Ernst said during the trip. She said a deal must also ensure the forever survival of Israel, destroy Hamas’ ability to reconstitute in the region, and releases our hostages."

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks was even more intent on a deal to get the hostages released.

"Following Hamas’s unprovoked, heinous invasion of Israel on Oct 7, we have been diligently meeting with families and Heads of State to advocate for the release of all hostages still being held in Hamas captivity," Miller-Meeks said. "We will continue to forcefully push for the release of all the hostages."

According to a press release, the trip also included U.S. Representatives Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Curtis (R-Utah). In addition, the group met with other Middle East leaders, including King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, where they discussed deterring Iranian aggression and a path forward to rescuing hostages and restoring stability in the region.

In Egypt, the group toured Sinai Peninsula and met with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to discuss Egypt’s role in denying Hamas weapons and resources.

In Saudi Arabia, while meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia, Ernst's delegation pressed the country's role in creating stability in the Middle East.

As part of the trip, Ernst visited U.S. servicemembers at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.