NY rep: Escape from Tel Aviv was ‘nothing’ compared to ‘barbarism’ elsewhere in Israel
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) early Monday described his escape from Tel Aviv, Israel, with his family over the weekend as “traumatic,” but he said it did not compare to the violence breaking out in other parts of Israel.
“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 said on NBC’s “Today Show.”
He said he awoke to sirens about 6:30 a.m. Saturday, noting his family had about 90 seconds to take shelter. He said he had never heard the sirens before, and his kids did not know what was going on.
Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare war on the organization and order retaliatory action. The death toll continues to climb, with about 700 people dead in Israel and nearly 500 dead in Gaza.
Goldman’s office revealed Sunday that the congressman and his family were forced to shelter in place in a hotel stairwell on Saturday while Hamas carried out its surprise attacks.
He was not the only lawmaker to seek refuge in the country — Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) was in a bomb shelter in his hotel during the attacks with his staff. He and his staff were able to safely leave the country Sunday to return to the U.S., but the New Jersey Democrat says they are all “shaken” from the experience.
Goldman said on NBC the Hamas attack was “definitely surprising,” adding he did not expect to experience how Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system works.
Goldman also urged Republicans to “get their act in order” so Congress can act to support Israel and replenish the Iron Dome system.
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