RELEASE: In Israel and UAE on House Intelligence Committee Trip, Gottheimer Focuses on American Hostage Release, Fighting Iran, Other Terrorist Proxies in Region

Above: Gottheimer in Israel with family members of American hostages.

ISRAEL AND UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) is currently leading an official Intelligence Committee trip to Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In Israel, Gottheimer met with American hostage family members, including family members of Gottheimer’s constituent Edan Alexander, U.S. Ambassador Lew, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, and other American embassy officials.

In the UAE, Gottheimer met with U.S. Embassy officials, the UAE Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security Ali Al Shamsi, UAE Director of Signals Intelligence Agency Ahmed Al Dehaim, and Executive Vice President of G42 Talal Al Kaissi.

While traveling, Gottheimer participated in discussions with senior-level officials regarding:

• Getting the American hostages home.
• The fight against Iran, Iranian-backed terrorist proxies in Gaza and the Middle East, including Hamas, Hezbollah, PIJ, and Houthis.
• Long-term solutions toward a two-state solution.
• The Israel-Hamas war and ongoing efforts related to the global fight against terror.
• The importance of the U.S.-UAE relationship and their role in the region.

American hostage family members Gottheimer met include:

• Iris Schwartz — Edan Alexander’s aunt.
• Lee Siegel — Keith Siegel’s brother.
• Shelly Siegel — Lee Siegel’s wife.
• Ruby Chen — Itay Chen’s father.
• Meir Zohar — Omer Neutra’s uncle.

“We must continue to do everything we can to bring the American hostages home, especially my constituent, Edan Alexander, crush Hamas and other Iranian terrorist proxies in the region, and deliver critical humanitarian aid to the region. My trip to Israel and the United Arab Emirates was vital to learning exactly what needs to be done to accomplish these missions and protect America and our allies from terror,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer, Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. “In Israel, it was an honor to meet with leaders, American hostage family members, Ambassador Lew, and senior embassy officials. There is no better way to understand the issues Israel and her people are facing than hearing from them firsthand. In the UAE, I spoke with leaders across industry and the security services on the importance of the U.S.-UAE relationship, the Israel-Hamas war, and action against our top adversaries — Iran, China, North Korea, and Russia. By promoting security and stability throughout the region, the United States is enhancing its own security.”

Below: Gottheimer with UAE Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security Ali Al Shamsi.

Below: Gottheimer with UAE Director of Signals Intelligence Agency Ahmed Al Dehaim.

Below: Gottheimer with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew.

Below: Gottheimer in Israel with family members of American hostages.