SE North Carolina News

Senators Ted Budd, Roger Wicker, and Joni Ernst have called on Turkey to extradite Hamas leaders to the United States. This follows the relocation of these leaders to Turkey after their eviction from Qatar earlier this month. The senators expressed disappointment over Turkey's decision to host Hamas figures, especially in light of past incidents involving American citizens.

The joint statement emphasized the October 7th, 2023 incident where "Hamas murdered 46 Americans and kidnapped 12." It highlighted that seven U.S. citizens remain hostage in Gaza and condemned Turkey for harboring individuals already indicted in U.S. courts. The senators urged Turkey to comply with the U.S.-Turkey bilateral extradition treaty.

Senator Budd has been vocal about his stance on the situation since October 7, 2023. He initially spoke on the Senate floor about holding humanitarian aid until all American hostages were safe. Over subsequent months, he engaged with Qatari officials and criticized Qatar's hosting of Hamas leaders.

Budd participated in a congressional delegation trip to the Middle East focused on securing hostage releases and met with regional leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Efforts continued into 2024 with legislative proposals like the 'Reviewing Qatar’s Major Non-NATO Ally Status Act', which sought accountability from Qatar regarding Hamas leadership. Despite facing opposition, Budd maintained pressure through public statements and legislative actions.

In recent developments, Budd welcomed Qatar's decision to expel remaining Hamas leaders but described it as "long overdue." The ongoing situation underscores tensions surrounding international responses to terrorism and hostage crises.