A former Navy Seal and combat medic turned congressman says the aftermath of Hamas’ massacre of Israeli civilians on October 7 was the most horrific and barbaric sight he has ever seen.
“This is ISIS times 1,000,” Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), who toured Israel last week, told The Post, referring to jihadists known for beheading hostages.
“I can speak with authority. I have done multiple combat tours. People were massacred at a level not seen since the Holocaust,” he said of the attack on Israel, which killed at least 1,400 people, many of them civilians.
“These Hamas terrorists – these savages, these beasts – specifically targeted children. They told them to cut off people’s arms and legs… It’s heartbreaking,” Van Orden said. “People are trying to legitimize this.”
Van Orden served 26 years in the Navy, 22 of them as a Navy Seal that included five combat deployments.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) visited Israel following the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7. Facebook/ Derrick Van Orden
He criticized the Biden administration for providing $100 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, from where ruling Hamas organized the attack.
“That is sending contradictory messages. “It must be clear that HAMAS is responsible for these terrible attacks.” Van Orden said in a statement in X about his trip.
“Neither England nor the United States sent humanitarian aid to Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, or Imperial Japan during the war. There is no doubt. HAMAS, Hezbollah and their sponsor Iran are enemies of freedom and peace. We must stop helping them,” the politician wrote.
Van Orden said the Hamas attacks were like “ISIS multiplied by 1,000.” Facebook/Derrick Van Orden Van Orden said Hamas “specifically targeted children” in the attacks that killed more than 1,4000 Israelis. AP Photo/Yousef Masoud
“Palestinians participated in these crimes, not just Hamas.”
He said Israel has the right to defend itself with its counterattacks in Gaza, dismissing calls for a ceasefire that thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters in New York and elsewhere are clamoring for.
“Everything that is happening in Gaza is a result of Hamas’ attack on Israel,” the new congressman said.
Van Orden, 54, visited a kibbutzim where dozens of civilians were killed, including Holocaust survivors, in the massacre in early October.
Van Orden preparing sandwiches for Israeli soldiers and children during his visit.Facebook/ Derrick Van Orden
He recalled speaking to a 70-year-old grandfather who held off Hamas terrorists for 16 hours with another man to protect his grandchildren.
“Sara Jane and I are going to have our 10th grandchild soon, and I just hope I have the courage that this man has if the time ever comes,” the congressman said of his own family.
He participated in a traditional Jewish bread-making ceremony and pray for all those killed or taken hostage. The bread was delivered to the soldiers the next morning.
The former Navy Seal told the Post that Israelis were “massacred at a level not seen since the Holocaust” in the attacks earlier this month. Facebook/ Derrick Van Orden
The congressman too helped prepare sandwiches for children and soldiers, donated blood and visited a wounded Israeli warrior.
Additionally, his visit included meetings with Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Avi Dichter, former commander of the Israeli Shin Bet, Israel’s counterterrorism unit, and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, among other Israeli officials.
In addition to helping Israel eliminate Hamas, Van Orden, a member of the House Agriculture and Veterans committees, said he will push to provide food aid to Israel.
It was a great honor to participate in a traditional Jewish bread-making ceremony in a time of sadness or triumph.
We made bread and prayed for all those killed and those taken hostage.
The bread was delivered to the soldiers the next morning. pic.twitter.com/DmRDa79wcE
—Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) October 25, 2023
He noted that Israelis depend on fruits and vegetables from neighboring Arab countries, such as tomatoes from Turkey. Those countries may be less willing to provide food to Israel during the war.
“Where are they going to get their food?” he said of the Israelis.
He also wants to provide funding to help Israeli soldiers recover from their combat wounds.
Van Orden meets with Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Avi Dichter during the trip.Facebook/ Derrick Van Orden
Van Orden urged Americans, the president and Congress to be unequivocal in their support for Israel.
“Now is the time for courage,” he said in an interview with The Post. “Stand firm with the Jewish people and do not weaken your knees.
“There can be no peace when the evil that is Hamas exists.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn