WASHINGTON, DC —
U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Dan Goldman (NY-10), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) led a bipartisan letter signed by 39 Members of Congress to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and ODNI Director Avril Haines, requesting a classified briefing on the threats to U.S. national security posed by Turkey’s growing relationship with Hamas. The letter is supported by the ADL (Anti-Defamation League), American Jewish Committee (AJC), American Hellenic Institute (AHI), Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), and FDD Action.
The signatory list of 39 bipartisan Members of Congress includes Reps. Gottheimer (NJ-5), Bilirakis (FL-12), Goldman (NY-10), Malliotakis (NY-11), Auchincloss (MA-5), Bacon (NE-2), Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Cohen (TN-9), Davis (NC-1), Fleischmann (TN-3), Flood (NE-1), Frankel (FL-22), Hoyer (MD-5), LaLota (NY-1), Lee, Manning (NC-6), Menendez (NJ-8), Meng (NY-6), Miller (OH-7), Moskowitz (FL-23), Nickel (NC-13), Nunn (IA-3), Pallone (NJ-6), Pappas (NH-1), Sarbanes (MD-6), Schneider (IL-10), Sherman (CA-32), Soto (FL-9), Stevens (MI-11), Suozzi (NY-3), Thanedar (MI-13), Titus (NV-1), Torres (CA-35), Torres (NY-15), Trone (MD-6), Valadao (CA-22), Vargas (CA-52), and Wasserman Schultz (FL-25).
“We are alarmed by recent reports that senior members of Hamas’s leadership have relocated to Turkey with the intent of establishing a headquarters there,” wrote Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5) and 38 bipartisan Members of Congress in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and ODNI Director Avril Haines. “We have serious concerns about the security implications of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member hosting, and potentially aiding, Hamas, a U.S. and EU designated foreign terrorist organization. With these concerns in mind, we request an immediate classified briefing for Members of Congress on the threats to U.S. national security posed by Turkey’s growing relationship with Hamas”.
“AHI is grateful for the leadership of Rep. Goldman, Rep. Gottheimer, Rep. Bilirakis, and Rep. Malliotakis on this initiative, which will ensure policymakers are informed about the true extent of Turkey’s role in supporting Hamas. We appreciate working with them on this important issue which will help strengthen U.S. national security in the Eastern Mediterranean”, notes the American Hellenic Institute in a statement.
“Erdogan’s support for Hamas and its campaign to destroy the state of Israel has reached new heights. Turkey has emboldened Hamas by hosting its leadership and permitting terror cells to operate within its territory. The U.S. must now make it clear to Erdogan that his deliberate facilitation of Hamas will carry serious consequences. FDD Action supports efforts to hold Turkey accountable for sanctions evasion, money laundering and terror financing on behalf of Hamas. As a NATO member, Turkey must reject Hamas and actively combat terrorism—or risk losing the benefits of the alliance”, states the FDD action.
“President Erdoğan’s support for the Iran-backed terror group, Hamas, and his venomous opposition to America’s most reliable ally in the Middle East, Israel, is deeply concerning. It is no secret Hamas members have been in Turkey for some time, but it is outrageous to see reports that President Erdoğan has allowed Hamas leadership safe passage to his country. Hamas leaders deserve isolation, not legitimacy — especially from a member of the NATO alliance. American Jewish Committee (AJC) applauds Representatives Josh Gottheimer, Nicole Malliotakis, Dan Goldman, and Gus Bilirakis for shining a light on this matter and making clear the United States will not stand by as President Erdoğan harbors terrorists who continue to advocate for the destruction of our ally, Israel”, said Julie Fishman Rayman, Managing Director of Policy and Political Affairs, AJC.
