Genesis

Tag: Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

  • ‘Bring Itay home’: American parents plead for Biden’s help rescuing hostage held by Hamas

    ‘Bring Itay home’: American parents plead for Biden’s help rescuing hostage held by Hamas

    Originally published on USA Today

    TEL AVIV — Outside the U.S. embassy in Israel, the parents of a kidnapped American-Israeli dual citizen stood in protest Monday pleading for action from President Joe Biden to save their son following the weekend’s stunning Hamas attacks in Israel.

    Itay Chen, a 19-year-old member of the Israel Defense Forces born in New York City, is believed to be among the 130 or more people kidnapped from Israel by Hamas terrorists now being held captive in the Gaza Strip.

    “We are asking the president to do what he can in order to bring our kids back safely home,” said his father, Ruby Chen, standing alongside other family members and supporters.

    They wore T-shirts that read “Help Find Itay,” with a photo of a grinning Itay Chen, and held signs that said, “USA protects its citizens!” “Bring Itay Home Now,” and “Help find Itay.”

    The U.S. embassy sits facing the Mediterranean Sea, the very same one Hamas fighters infiltrated to launch their deadly offensive.

    An emotional Ruby Chen, holding hands with his wife, called on the Biden administration to reach out to Hamas leaders who kidnapped his son and other Americans to demand the militant group follow international laws for protected war prisoners.

    Attempts to reach son go unanswered

    Corporal Itay Chen serves in Israel’s Armed Corps and was on the Gaza border during Saturday morning’s attack.

    He was raised in New York, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance each day and cheering on American sports. Itay Chen grew up a Los Angeles Lakers fan who adored Kobe Bryant while his dad rooted for the hometown New York Knicks.

    “That’s how kids are,” Rudy Chen told CNN. “They always are rebellious.”

    Rudy Chen later moved his family to Israel, where he resides with his wife and three children Netanya, north of Tel Aviv. Ruby remains a U.S. citizen and U.S. taxpayer.

    After attempts to contact their son after this week’s Hamas attack were unsuccessful, Ruby and his wife Laity Chen made their way to the Lahav 433 center for identifying the missing after the first day of the Israel-Hamas war, named by Israeli forces as “Operation Swords of Iron.”

    There, his parents were officially notified of his status as Missing In Action – or MIA. The Israeli Defense Forces defines a person as MIA when no officer has identified him in the last 36 hours. This means he was not found in any hospital, had not been identified as deceased, and in this context, had a high probability of currently being held in Gaza.

    Chen’s parents and the IDF believe that there is enough evidence to suggest he is a Prisoner of War.

    White House not sure how many hostages are Americans

    At least 11 Americans were killed in Hamas’ stunning weekend attacks on Israel. The Biden administration has confirmed U.S. citizens are unaccounted for but not said how many Americans are being held hostage.

    “While we are still working to confirm, we believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas,” Biden said in a statement Monday. “I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis.”

    Biden said that includes sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the U.S. government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts.

    John Kirby, a White House spokesman on national security matters, said the U.S. does not know how many Americans are hostages. “We’re in constant touch with the Israeli officials right now to try to get a sense of the whereabouts of all the unaccounted Americans,” Kirby said in an interview on Fox News.

    A State Department spokesman declined to comment to USA TODAY when asked about the whereabouts of Itay Chen and whether the U.S. is tracking him.

    Hamas has claimed that four hostages were killed by Israeli airstrikes and pledged to kill additional hostages if Israel doesn’t stop bombing civilian areas in Gaza.

    Abu Obeida, spokesman of Hamas’ armed wing, said Monday the group will kill one Israeli civilian captive any time Israel targets civilians in their homes in Gaza “without prior warning.”

    ‘Step up for our children,’ father says

    Outside the U.S. embassy in Israel, Chen told USA TODAY that the government of the United States needs to stand up for all Americans − including those living in Israel and abroad.

    “Kids need to know that the U.S. is behind all of its citizens,” he added.

    Itay Chen’s younger brother, Alon, was set to celebrate his bar mitzvah this coming Saturday, expecting to share it with his family. “We are still hopeful that we will be able to celebrate together as a family,” Chen added.

    Saturday’s attacks marked the deadliest incursion into Israeli territory since Egypt and Syria’s attacks in the Yom Kippur war 50 years ago. Israel responded with attacks on Hamas infrastructure in Gaza.

    The death toll on both sides from the three-day war rose to about 1,600 on Monday, including 900 in Israel and more than 680 in Gaza.

    With each passing moment, the Chen family only grows more concerned for their son, adding fuel to the fire of what their mission is. “What about liberty, justice, and freedom for all?” his father asked.

    “Biden needs to step up for all children — all citizens deserve protection, and kids need to know that the United States is behind them 100%.”

  • Pray For Israel’s Defense Forces: Brave Women and Men Risking Their Lives to Protect Others

    Pray For Israel’s Defense Forces: Brave Women and Men Risking Their Lives to Protect Others

    Israel Defense Forces (IDF)were established in 1948 and have grown to become one of the most powerful military organizations whose mission is to protect the State of Israel on land, in the air, and at sea.

    IDF represents all of Israel’s military forces and “…the purpose of the IDF is to preserve the State of Israel, to protect its independence, and to foil attempts by its enemies to disrupt the normal life within it,” says the IDF’s website.

    Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists attacked Israel with barrages of rockets, killing and wounding thousands of innocent people – children, women, elders, sisters, brothers, friends, and entire families beginning the morning of October 7. Thousands of rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip in a surprise ambush and Palestinians everywhere were called to attack Israelis by a senior Hamas military commander, Mohammad Deif.

    While The Iron Dome has warded off thousands of rockets and missiles and Israeli officials have reported 90% effectiveness it is not the only line of defense. David’s Sling is the secondary line of defense, and the Arrow is the third. All three systems are designed to combat missiles and rockets.

    But should this war continue to be fought on the ground, keep in mind that the human beings who joined the IDF – hundreds of thousands of them – are at great peril and need all the support we can bring, including more equipment, supplies, technologies, and more.

    And keep in mind that if other terrorist organizations join with Hamas to expand this unconscionable terror campaign, we could be facing a new holocaust right here in our own land.

    On Sunday, the Biden administration ordered the U.S. military to provide aid to the IDF and ensure they’re equipped for war, but we need more support – from the U.S. and every other country who believes in democracy and the right of every human being to a productive, peaceful, and happy life.

    “The attack was in the ground, and the air, and also through the sea,” said IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht in a video posted to IDF’s X account (formerly known as Twitter). “They didn’t go for military targets. They went for civilians. They went for grandmothers, children, babies.”

    The style of attack is barbaric – as or even more barbaric than 9/11. This is Israel’s 9/11, and we believe the world should respond as it did at that terrible time.

    Our Genesis Business Humanity team in the U.S. has been exceptionally active over the last few days, and we are raising funds from our elite membership that will go directly to families who need assistance urgently.

    We are contacting elected officials, asking for support. Here’s one example of an elected official speaking out:

    “As the only Member of Congress who has worn the uniform of both the U.S. Army and the Israeli Defense Forces, I know that those on the ground are willing to give their last breath for their country and for their friends, family, and neighbors. My prayers are with them,” Rep. Brian Mast, congressman from Florida posted Sunday to his account on X, formerly known as Twitter. volunteered with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) after retiring from the U.S. Army.

    Let us not let a single hour or single day go by when we forget the sacrifices being made by our military and their families. 

    May they return to our beautiful state of Israel unharmed and if they are wounded or perish, let us never forget and always remember their courage, bravery, and love of our homeland.