Israel war: Dan Goldman describes escape as ‘traumatic’ but ‘nothing’ compared to other barbarism in Israel
October 09, 2023 12:54 PM
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) described his escape from Tel Aviv, Israel, this weekend as a “traumatic” experience after a surprise attack on the country that started Saturday but said it was “nothing” compared to other barbarism from the attack.
Goldman said he woke up to sirens going off at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, which signaled a 90-second window to find cover from the incoming rocket fire. The congressman ended up hiding in a stairwell while the attacks by the Islamic terrorist organization Hamas were being carried out.
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“I mean, our experience was traumatic, but, of course, it is nothing compared to so many Israelis down in the south just massacred with barbarism that we have not seen,” Goldman told NBC’s Today on Monday.
New York Congressman Dan Goldman @RepDanGoldman was visiting Israel with his family when the attacks by Hamas began. He joins TODAY to detail their escape and urges Congress to rally together and provide support for Israel’s Iron Dome system. pic.twitter.com/oVunZUst4y
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 9, 2023
The congressman said he and his family, including his children, were fortunate enough to secure a flight out of Israel on Sunday instead of Monday, which was when he was initially scheduled to return to the United States following a bar mitzvah. Many flights out of Israel have been canceled as of Monday, the congressman noted.
A spokesperson for Goldman told CNN that the congressman hoped the country would unite in support of Israel, which launched a counterattack via its Iron Dome defense system on Saturday. The Israeli government has also declared war against Hamas for the first time in 50 years.
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Nine U.S. nationals were among the more than 700 fatalities in the attack, the State Department confirmed Monday, and others remain unaccounted for. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) was also in Israel over the weekend and was forced to shelter in the bomb shelter of a hotel, along with his staff. Booker has also safely returned to the U.S.
Goldman has urged Republicans in the House of Representatives to pass emergency relief packages for Israel, including replenishing its Iron Dome defense system.