Families of 9/11 Victims Call on Harris, Trump to Oppose Middle East Peace Deal with Saudi Arabia

The families of more than 3,000 victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks are demanding that both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump oppose any Middle East peace deal with Saudi Arabia until the country is held accountable for its potential role in the attacks. The families cite newly obtained video footage of a Saudi government agent “casing” the U.S. Capitol as evidence of Saudi involvement, as reported by “60 Minutes” in June.

Organized by 9/11 Justice, a group representing families of the victims, the letter urges the candidates to prioritize justice and closure for the victims and their families in foreign policy decisions. The group has sued the Saudi government and pushed for the declassification of all remaining documents related to 9/11.

Both the Harris and Trump campaigns have not responded to inquiries about the letter and the families’ request. The families point out that 15 of the 19 al Qaeda hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, and the potential links between the Saudi government and the terrorists have been shrouded in mystery for years.

The families received more clarity on Saudi Arabia’s role in the attacks after the release of the video of Omar al-Bayoumi, identified as a Saudi intelligence operative by the FBI. They are seeking to bring attention to their cause before the upcoming presidential debate in Philadelphia.

Harris has been critical of Saudi Arabia in the past, particularly after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Trump initially promised “severe punishment” for Saudi Arabia in response to the killing but later emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship.

9/11 Justice has criticized Trump for hosting a Saudi-backed golf tournament at his New Jersey club in 2022. President Biden’s proposed deal with Saudi Arabia would require Senate ratification, which may not happen before Congress recesses for the fall campaign season.

The families are adamant that any peace deal involving the U.S. and Saudi Arabia should not proceed until Saudi Arabia is held accountable for its potential role in the 9/11 attacks. They have been actively advocating for justice and transparency leading up to the 2020 election and continue to push for accountability from the Saudi government.