Email from my Congressman (Dan Goldman, NY-10)
It has been a harrowing and heartbreaking few weeks.
On October 7, Hamas terrorists launched an unimaginably brutal attack on Israel — killing more than 1,300 people, mostly Israelis — women, children (including babies!) and the elderly. It was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust and evokes the horror of pogroms in Europe when entire Jewish villages were eviscerated.
This is personal for me in many ways. On the morning of October 7, I was with my wife and three of my children in Tel Aviv to attend a family Bar Mitzvah. We were awakened at 6:30 by the frightening sound of sirens warning of incoming rocket fire, and we had just 90 seconds to escape to the bomb shelter in the interior stairwell. Obviously, it has been very difficult to explain what was going on to my children, who are still struggling with the trauma. But it pales in comparison to what the families in southern Israel have had to endure.
The viciousness and brutality of the terrorists’ attack is hard to comprehend. Reports are that 80 percent of those who were murdered were also tortured — some beheaded, others burned alive, children forced to watch their parents killed and vice versa. All because Hamas simply wanted to kill and torture Jews — the sole stated objective of this terrorist organization.
Nearly 200 people were captured and are being held hostage by Hamas. Most are civilians and approximately a dozen are Americans. The hostages include babies without parents, and even an 85-year-old Holocaust survivor who needs medicine daily. Hamas refuses to provide an update on the hostages nor to even let the International Red Cross check on them pursuant to international law.
And let’s be very clear: Hamas is a terrorist organization that does not represent the interests of the Palestinians it governs in the Gaza Strip. Hamas is not only destructive to the peace and security of Israel but it is also detrimental to the security and prosperity of Palestinians. Israel’s justified declaration of war is against Hamas, not the Palestinian people, and we must support this war against terror like we have those against Al Qaeda and ISIS.
Over the past 11 days, I have been incredibly proud to stand alongside President Biden, who has demonstrated clear-eyed and strong leadership in ensuring that Israel has all the military, security, and diplomatic support it needs to defend herself and eradicate Hamas, while also emphasizing the need to protect innocent Palestinians as much as possible. Yesterday, after President Biden’s historic visit to Israel, Israel also agreed to facilitate humanitarian relief to Palestinian civilians, even though Hamas has already stolen UN aid designated for civilians.
But the United States and Israel cannot meet both of those objectives alone. That is why I co-led a bipartisan letter signed by 106 colleagues to the Egyptian government urging them to assist in the humanitarian effort through its border with Gaza in the south. I was pleased to see that yesterday Egypt agreed to facilitate humanitarian aid to displaced Palestinians. But Egypt must also agree to help set up safe zones in southern Gaza for Palestinians who have heeded Israel’s warning to evacuate the north of Gaza in advance of a possible ground attack.
I am also encouraged that, notwithstanding the understandable rage Israelis and Jews around the world feel after the atrocious war crimes committed by Hamas, Israel has taken significant measures to protect Palestinian civilians through warnings of pending attacks by leaflet, text messages, phone calls and social media. Unfortunately, Hamas intentionally uses its civilians as human shields by putting its terror network in residential neighborhoods, schools, and even hospitals. Hamas has even discouraged and prevented Palestinians from heeding the Israeli warnings.
Every day that goes by makes it less likely that the hostages held by a terrorist group in violation of international law — including Americans — will come home alive. Time is of the essence and we must be steadfast in our primary focus of freeing the hostages. I am working day and night to free our hostages, bring home Americans in harm's way, and provide the necessary support for Israel to defend herself and eliminate Hamas. There can be no other outcome.
If you or your family are American citizens located in Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza, it is critical that you fill out the US State Department’s Crisis Intake Form here.
We have also seen that this devastating conflict has found its way into the streets of New York and around the country. So let me be very clear — no one should be targeted for their identity. That is not the New York way nor the American way.
Emotions are understandably running high. It is a frightening time. But there is no room for hate of any kind in our city and country — against Israelis or Palestinians, Jews or Muslims. To that end, I will continue to work closely with the NYPD to monitor any potential threats to our synagogues, mosques, and community centers to ensure our communities are safe.
As the days wear on and Israel’s effort to defeat Hamas escalates, we must never forget the horrific terrorist attack on October 7 that started this war. As Americans, we must remain united against terrorism and in support of our democratic ally, Israel. And we must do everything we can to protect innocent civilians.
I am proud to be in Congress during this trying time, and I’m grateful for your support as we continue to defend democracy at home and abroad.
All my love,
Dan
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