A bipartisan group of 10 U.S. senators that includes Maine’s Susan Collins arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday amid growing turmoil in the Middle East as Israeli troops continue to retaliate against Hamas militants.
Collins had said during an interview with The Washington Post on Thursday that she and others would soon be visiting Israel to show solidarity with the nation that has long been a U.S. ally.
On Friday, her office said the senator was joined by Republicans Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Katie Britt of Alabama, Dan Sullivan of Alaska and John Thune of South Dakota, and Democrats Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Chris Coons of Delaware and Jack Reed of Rhode Island.
Collins’ office said the Senate delegation planned to meet with Saudi officials to discuss current affairs in the region but did not provide additional details about the visit to Israel.
“The Senate delegation will meet with Saudi officials to discuss current political affairs in the region,” Collins’ office said in a statement. “The United States and Saudi Arabia have a common interest in preserving the stability, security and prosperity of the Gulf region, and consult closely on a wide range of regional and global issues. Saudi Arabia plays an important role in working toward a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.”
Graham spoke about the trip during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday and said the senators will encourage Israel and Saudi Arabia to continue talks on normalizing relations after the Hamas attack on Israel upended negotiations.
A spokesperson for Maine’s other senator, independent Angus King, said King also is reviewing and weighing the available options for a trip to the Middle East with Senate colleagues.
Israel was attacked this month by Hamas militants, sparking a conflict that has led to thousands of deaths and increased turmoil throughout the Middle East. So far, the retaliatory effort from Israeli forces has been in the form of airstrikes, but the nation’s defense minister has warned that a ground assault is imminent.
President Biden visited Israel this week to show support for the longtime U.S. ally but also to caution Israelis against being consumed by rage and to remind the world that not all Palestinians support Hamas.
The State Department issued an alert Thursday to all Americans abroad and those traveling to “exercise increased caution” due to the Israel-Hamas war and cited the “potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.”
Also Thursday, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution in support of Israel. Collins and King were co-sponsors.
“The Senate stands with Israel as it defends itself, including Israeli efforts to diminish the threat posed by Hamas; reaffirms Israel’s right to self-defense, and is committed to helping Israel safeguard its people from future aggression,” the resolution states. “The Senate calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas’ war on Israel, including Hamas’ intentional targeting of, and attacks against, civilians.”
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