Budd focuses on retrieving hostages from Hamas, including Chapel Hill native

A North Carolina senator says his recent trip to Israel has strengthened his resolve to bring home hostages taken from Israel by Hamas.

U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., recently returned from a trip to the Middle East that included stops in Israel, Egypt, Qatar and Bahrain. He explained the highlights during a call with reporters on Thursday.

During Budd’s travels, he met with family members of hostages as well as leaders of foreign nations that have communication with Hamas and could pressure the terrorist group to release its captives. The group continues to hold more than 100 captives, eight of whom are American. Among them: Chapel Hill native Keith Siegel.

“We’re asking for things like proof of life,” Budd said of his discussions with leaders who are negotiating for the release of hostages.

Hamas in October captured Siegel and his wife Aviva. While Hamas continues to hold Keith Siegel, the group released Aviva Siegel during a temporary ceasefire. Budd met with her in Israel.

“She recounted to me the horror of her captivity, the cruelty, the sexual violence perpetrated on innocent women was flat out evil,” Budd said.

Budd also met with leaders of Qatar, which is negotiating with Hamas for the release of American and Israeli hostages held by the group.

“I told the (Qatari) prime minister in no uncertain terms that his mission must do more to secure the release of American hostages,” Budd said. “They hold significant leverage over the terrorist group, and we expect them to use it.”

In the meantime, Budd said he hopes the U.S. Senate reaches a deal to send more aid to Israel. President Joe Biden has asked Congress to approve more than $10 billion in military assistance for Israel. An aid package remains stalled in the Senate, though, where Republicans have tied it to immigration proposals that are unpopular with Democrats.

“We hate that it's constrained on these issues,” Budd said. “But, again, I think our priorities should be our southern border, and then the next priority should be supporting Israel and defending their border.”

“I'm a realist in these [Senate] negotiations,” he continued. “We've got some daylight between the two parties, but hopefully those on the other side of the aisle will see how desperate things are at our southern border, and that we have to protect our own country first.”