Chuck Schumer, Delegation, Seek Shelter During Hamas Rocket Attacks

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and his delegation sought refuge in a bomb shelter during a diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv.

The group had to take this extreme measure because of the continuous rocket attacks by Hamas. This incident highlights the volatile situation in the region and the constant threat faced by Israel.

Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the United States, was accompanied by a bipartisan group of senators. The delegation included Republican Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, GOP Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, and Democratic Senators Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Mark Kelly of Arizona.

Their visit to Tel Aviv aimed to show support for Israel ahead of Joe Biden’s expected request for Congress to approve supplemental wartime funding for Israel and Ukraine.

While in Tel Aviv today, our delegation was rushed to a shelter to wait out rockets sent by Hamas. It shows you what Israelis have to go through. We must provide Israel with the support required to defend itself. pic.twitter.com/wS3kq6xFVJ

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 15, 2023

The delegation had a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv before being quickly escorted to the shelter. They are also scheduled to meet with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gants, a chief political rival and centrist opposition leader.

These two Israeli politicians have formed a unity wartime government in response to the brutal attacks by Hamas terrorists that claimed the lives of more than 1,300 civilians in Israel last Saturday.

This horrific attack, considered by the US State Department as the worst assault on Jews since the Holocaust, also resulted in the tragic loss of at least 29 American lives.

The gravity of the situation is further emphasized by the fact that there are still 15 unaccounted-for Americans; although the exact number of American hostages held by Hamas remains uncertain.

Back home, protesters advocating for Palestine were arrested outside Schumer’s Brooklyn residence, where they called for a ceasefire. Despite these domestic pressures, Schumer remains unwavering in his commitment to Israel.

Interesting that protesters (mostly peaceful of course) were arrested outside Shumer’s home but protesters in front of the homes of Supreme Court justices went unmolested. https://t.co/I3BZl68AHO

— Aufee The Banned (@Aufee111) October 15, 2023

During a press conference in New York City, Schumer outlined the threefold purpose of their Middle East trip: to demonstrate to the world that the US stands with Israel, to discuss the resources and support needed by the nation with Israeli leaders, and to show that support for Israel is a bipartisan issue.

He emphasized the commitment to provide Israel with everything it needs, including the Iron Dome and other military and humanitarian requirements.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan assured that rescuing American hostages in Gaza is the “highest priority” for the Biden administration. However, he acknowledged the complexity of the rescue mission due to uncertainty about the hostages’ locations.

This article appeared in Our Patriot and has been published here with permission.