Following a recent trip to Israel, Kiggans speaks on House Floor in support of America’s closest ally in the Middle East

WASHINGTON, DC: Yesterday, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) spoke on the House Floor in support of Israel following a trip she took with her colleagues last week. In her remarks, Congresswoman Kiggans highlighted impactful experiences on her visit as well as her deep concerns about the current security situation unfolding in the Middle East. You can view her full remarks here.

Among other visits, the congressional delegation met with top Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, participated in a briefing with former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) military personnel, met with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew, visited sites of the October 7th attacks, and heard from families of current hostages held by Hamas.

“Israel is – and always will be – our closest ally in the Middle East,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “The devastation of the October 7th attacks verified this war was unprovoked and Hamas must be eliminated. We must do everything in our power to provide Israel with the support they need to defend themselves. In Congress, I will continue to stand by our ally as they fight to defeat Hamas…I will not allow our enemies to become further emboldened.”

While in Israel, the delegation visited the site of the Nova Music Festival in Re’im and spoke to the parents of an American-Israeli hostage who has now been held captive by Hamas for 188 days. The delegation also went to the Old City of Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Yad Vashem – Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, Mount Herzl, Mount Bental, the Sea of Galilee, Mount of Beatitudes, the Alfei Menashe overlook, and more. You can find photos from the trip and additional details below:

Congresswoman Kiggans visits the site of the Nova Music Festival in Re’im, where signs and memorials have been left in honor of the victims of the October 7th attacks.

Congresswoman Kiggans looks at Syria through a telescope at Mount Bental, a dormant volcano in the Golan Heights that overlooks Israel’s borders with Syria and Lebanon.

Congresswoman Kiggans visited Kibbutz Nir Oz that was attacked on October 7th.

Congresswomen Kiggans and Maloy look at photos of residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the most devastated communities on October 7th, where one in four residents were slaughtered or kidnapped.

The Congressional delegation visited the site of the Nova Music Festival in Re’im, where memorials and signs are left behind to pay tribute to the victims of the attacks that occurred on October 7th.

The Congressional delegation visited a home in Kibbutz Nir Oz that was destroyed in the October 7th attacks.

Members of the Congressional delegation heard from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Israel’s plans to defeat Hamas and bring hostages home.

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