Hoyer: We Will Not Give in. We Will Not Retreat. We Will Not Forget. And We Will Recover and Welcome Back the Hostages of Hamas.
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) joined Members of Congress, the American Jewish Committee, and families of hostages currently being held by Hamas in Gaza for a press conference to bring attention to the plight of these hostages. During his remarks, Congressman Hoyer introduced Ruby Chen, the father of 19-year-old Itay Chen, who was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7. Following his remarks, Ruby Chen presented him with a dog tag marked with “Bring Them Home” to serve as a reminder of those held captive in Gaza. See below for a transcript and video of his remarks:
Click here to watch full remarks.
“The taking of hostages is a crime - in international law. and the law of the United States. and the law of Israel. Unfortunately, there is no law in Gaza. And so we are gathered here, with families who have sustained a criminal act - taking people hostage - holding them hostage for ransom or protection. These families have shown tremendous courage during this deeply traumatic time, as those who are being held captive have shown.
“These families of hostages are in great pain because they do not know and are not notified, as any humane captive should have knowledge, that their relative still lives.
“We must exorcise this cancer on the body politic that is called Hamas.
“The Governor of my state newly elected, his name – Moore. He served in the 82nd Airborne Division and served in Afghanistan and Iraq. And as he ran for Governor, his mantra was this: Leave No One Behind.
“And the Congress of the United States is committed – Republicans, Democrats across the board, in leaving no hostage behind. These families remind us of the profound solidarity between America and Israel. We are two nations, but we stand as one.
“It's my privilege to introduce a member of a family who is a 19-year-old young man who serves in the IDF, who happened to be close to the border that was transgressed by these terrorists—these cancer on the body politic—and we believe taken hostage.
“It says here it is my privilege to introduce. That's not true. It is my sad duty to introduce a member of a family with whom we share the agony of the unknown.
“19-year-old Itay Chen was taken captive by an organization that believes that doing so is justified by their means, and their means are to kill Jews.
“I am in awe of the fortitude that his parents, siblings, and loved ones have shown during this crisis. I want you to know, we share your grief, and the grief of all the family members who are assembled here and will be introduced by Members of Congress.
“We pray for the day that Itay will be returned home safely and will do everything we can to make that a reality today - tomorrow, and every day thereafter until those hostages are return whole, well, and alive.
“I've just met Ruby, so I can't give you a long recitation of him. But he comes from Flatbush, and that's one tough group of people. He now lives in Tel Aviv. Another tough group of people.
“I mentioned a song that you sing sometimes when you're for a candidate or for a cause. And that song is: Like a tree standing by the river. We will not give in. We will not retreat. We will not forget. And we will recover. And welcome back the hostages of Hamas.
“Ladies and gentlemen, a brave soul. Ruby Chen.”
Ruby Chen: “Congressman, you could just one second. So before starting, we created with the help of our Brothers in Arms, which is a Israeli nonprofit organization, dog tags to remember every day, every second who our kids are and that they're missing. The dog tag says, bring them back now. Congressman, if I can.”
Congressman Hoyer: “Sure.”
Ruby Chen: “Would be glad if you could also wear this with you in Congress. Your next meeting, meeting afterwards and tomorrow, and continuing to think about us and the main objective: bring them back home now.”
Congressman Hoyer: “Amen.”
