Dayton Reporter

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford led a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Israel, marking the first such visit since the recent conflict with Iran and its proxy group Hamas. The delegation included Congressman Ronny Jackson and Congressman Josh Gottheimer, both members of the House intelligence committee.

The visit focused on strategic discussions with military and intelligence officials in the region. The lawmakers received updates on ongoing conflicts, intelligence operations, and terrorist activities.

During their trip, the delegation met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. They emphasized continued U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself against threats. The group also visited an aid distribution site at the border of Israel and Gaza to observe humanitarian efforts affected by Hamas.

The members met families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas for over 650 days and toured Kfar Aza Kibbutz, where a major attack occurred on October 7th. They were briefed by the Israel Defense Forces about current military operations in Gaza and spoke with senior Palestinian Authority officials in Ramallah.

Chairman Crawford stated, “Israel and its people have experienced untold levels of tragedy and devastation because of the very fact that they exist. But the Jewish people are a strong, resilient, and compassionate people. Based on our conversations and briefings with military and intelligence partners this week, it is clear Israel is committed to a peaceful end to the unrest in the region but will not cede any ground to Hamas or other Iranian terrorist proxies. While meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Ambassador Huckabee, and other partner organizations, our message was simple—the United States stands with Israel and its people. I am grateful for the ongoing cooperation between the U.S. and our Israeli partners as we work to advance our shared goals in the region.”

Congressman Gottheimer added: “Given the situation, it was extremely important to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials, Ambassador Huckabee, and family members of hostages still in Gaza. It was also critical to visit an aid staging location at the Kerem Shalom border crossing and a GHF coordination site, which gave me a better understanding of efforts to surge aid into Gaza. We must ensure aid is able to swiftly reach Gazans in need, not Hamas terrorists, who continue to steal food from innocent Palestinians. With so much misinformation, there is no better way to understand the situation than to see it firsthand. By promoting security and stability in the Middle East, the United States will improve our own national security.”

Congressman Jackson commented: “This trip not only provided critical firsthand updates from our Defense, State, and Intelligence partners on the ever-evolving elements that threaten Israel, the Middle East, and ultimately the United States, but also reinforced the need for continued strong support to our key ally in the region, Israel. I was honored to spend some time with our GREAT ambassador Mike Huckabee and also meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu who is doing everything he can to bring lasting peace to the region. We need strong leadership and coordination to protect American lives and interests, and I’m proud to see the Trump administration making national security a top priority with a strategy that is tough smart and focused on keeping our country and allies safe.”

Mike Turner currently serves as U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 10th district after succeeding Tony P. Hall in 2003 (https://turner.house.gov/about). He has held this position since then (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/T000463). Turner was born in Dayton in 1960 where he continues to reside (https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/meet-your-congressman-mike-turner-of-dayton/WLMTN5S4CZG43CXYE2ZVRICR6A/). He holds degrees from Ohio Northern University (BA), Case Western Reserve University (JD), as well as from University of Dayton (JD).