10.10.23

Hoeven Working to Bring Home North Dakotans in Israel

Secures Commitment from State Department to Contact Group, Help Secure Flights Out of Region

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after pressing Rena Bitter, Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs at the State Department, for a plan to ensure the safety of and bring home the North Dakotans who were traveling in Israel when Hamas-led terrorists attacked Israel. Hoeven also spoke with Father Phil Ackerman of Holy Cross Catholic Church for an update on the group of North Dakotans in Israel.

“We have been in contact with the State Department since this weekend’s terrorist attacks by Hamas, and today spoke with Secretary Bitter along with Senator Cramer, to ensure there is a plan to safely bring this group home to North Dakota. The State Department committed that the ambassador’s office will directly contact the group and assist them in securing flights out of the region. We also spoke with Father Ackerman to coordinate with him, and we are relieved that the group has now made their way to Jordan. We continue to condemn this horrific attack by Hamas against Israel and are praying for all of the victims.”

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