Ernst Statement on Hostage Deal
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Abraham Accords Caucus co-chair, released the following statement after an announcement that hostages held by Iran-backed Hamas will be released.
Ernst has been a fierce advocate for freeing the hostages and kept up the drumbeat to bring them home.
“The living nightmare these hostages have been forced to endure for 466 long days is finally coming to an end,”said Ernst. “Since Iran-backed Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack that shed American blood, I have called for our citizens’ immediate release, met with their families, told their stories, and worked with our partners to end this crisis. Today’s announcement is a sure sign that peace through strength works. I look forward to working with the Trump administration to restore American leadership, strengthen our bonds with Israel, and build upon the Abaham Accords – something Iran fears. I will not rest until our fellow citizens are freed and home.”
Background:
On October 7, 2023, she was in the Middle East and went to Israel just days after Iran-backed Hamas’ attacks to show her support for our ally. In the wake of the horrific terrorist assault, Ernst met with the hostage families in Israel and has remained in close contact with them. A few weeks later, Senator Ernst demanded President Biden do everything in his power to rescue the American hostages and bring them home safely.
In January 2024, she returned to the Middle East and advocated for the release of the hostages in meetings with senior leadership and led negotiators in Egypt, Israel, Qatar, and Bahrain. In May 2024, she was in Israel when she received reports that the United States withheld an ammunition shipment to Israel and immediately demanded answers from President Biden to hold him accountable for his “ironclad” commitment to our greatest ally in the Middle East. In August 2024, Ernst led a Congressional delegation into Israel that met with Prime Minister Netanyahu to reaffirm support for our ally in the Middle East and reiterate the importance of bringing the hostages home.
Senator Ernst hosted Hagit and Ruby Chen, the parents of American hostage Itay Chen, as her guests for the State of the Union in 2024.
In July 2024, Ernst led a bipartisan group of senators in telling the stories of the American hostages on the U.S. Senate floor and calling for an end to the uncertainty their families have endured since October 7th.
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