SE North Carolina News

Washington, D.C. — Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) issued a statement today following an announcement by Israeli officials regarding a proposal aimed at freeing the remaining hostages.

“I commend Israel for their continued commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East and to freeing the hostages, including Americans like North Carolina native Keith Siegel. The terms of their proposal demonstrate once again that Israel is operating in good faith and should not be pressured to accept more than is reasonable given the atrocities of October 7th and their continued, real security concerns,” said Senator Budd.

He added, “If Hamas refuses this offer, their leaders must immediately be expelled from Qatar and eliminated throughout Gaza. This should be their last chance. I urge all parties, particularly the Biden administration, Qatar, Egypt, and the 17 other nations with hostages being held, to apply all necessary pressure on Hamas to bring this hostage crisis to an end.”

Senator Budd has been vocal about the hostage situation since October 25, 2023, when he first addressed it on the Senate floor. He stated his intention “to hold all humanitarian aid to Gaza until each and every American hostage is home and is safe.”

Subsequently, on November 6, 2023, Senator Budd met with Qatari Ambassador Meshal Al Thani in Washington D.C., urging Qatar to leverage its influence over Hamas leaders in Doha for the immediate release of all hostages.

Following the release of Keith Siegel’s wife Aviva on November 26, 2023, Senator Budd expressed encouragement but renewed calls for Qatar to press Hamas leadership for unconditional releases.

Senator Budd's criticism of Qatar's hosting of Hamas leaders was reiterated on November 28, 2023: “We need to tell our friends in Doha loudly and clearly: Qatar is accepting a significant liability with its pro-Hamas policy.”

On December 13, 2023, he sent a message of support to hostages' families from the Senate floor: “I want every one of these family members to know that our country is behind them; we support them and are praying for them.”

During a congressional delegation trip (CODEL) from January 10-15, 2024 through Israel, Egypt, Qatar, and Bahrain focused on securing hostage releases. Senator Budd visited communities affected by the October massacre by Hamas terrorists and engaged with key regional figures including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The CODEL included meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Qatari officials where strong messages were delivered regarding hostage negotiations.

In collaboration with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Senator Budd marked the captives' 100th day in an op-ed on January 15: “As long as Americans remain captive to these barbaric thugs... Allowing Americans to suffer under the yoke of terrorists is a win for evil around the world."

Senator Budd’s February address emphasized urgency towards Qatar: "Our patience has run out. Time is up."

Further efforts included inviting Keith Siegel’s family as guests at President Biden's State of Union Address on March 7. On March 15 and March 26 statements reinforced demands for Qatar's expulsion of Hamas members if negotiations failed.

On April 9-10th legislative actions were introduced via ‘Reviewing Qatar’s Major Non-NATO Ally Status Act,’ though blocked initially. The bill demanded Secretary of State certification or termination of Qatar's non-NATO ally status if non-compliance persisted.

Finally May CODEL stops covered Israel updates directly from U.S., Israeli officials including Prime Minister Netanyahu while hosting families like that of Keith Siegel.