Schumer to visit Israel after cutting Asia trip short

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is leading a congressional delegation to Israel this weekend following Hamas’s terrorist attack on the country, as lawmakers rally support on its behalf. 

Schumer will lead a group of senators on the visit, a spokesperson for the Democratic leader said, and is set to meet with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; Benny Gantz, who is a member of the emergency unity government; and Israel President Isaac Herzog. 

“Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest ranking Jewish elected official in the United States history, will be leading a bipartisan CODEL to Israel this weekend to show the United States’ unwavering support for Israel,” the spokesperson said. “Sen. Schumer will discuss what resources the United States can provide to support Israel on all fronts.”

Schumer cut a trip to Asia short due to the emerging war between Israel and Hamas and the escalating tensions in the region. Schumer and a bipartisan group of senators met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and stopped in South Korea before returning Thursday. 

The group is the latest set of U.S. officials to appear in Israel, after Secretary of State Antony Blinken did so Thursday, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will Friday. 

Schumer’s appearance also comes as the Senate weighs action on aid for Israel, which could be coupled with funding for Ukraine. Such legislation, however, would be at a standstill right now in the House, where Republicans have failed to coalesce around a Speaker.

Senators this week have been calling for an expedited push to advance former Treasury Department Secretary Jack Lew, the nominee to become U.S. ambassador to Israel. He is awaiting a confirmation hearing and vote before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.