Meeting Congressman Brian Mast

By: Larry Gordon

Congressman Brian Mast (R-Fla.) is a great legislator and an important friend of Israel and the Jewish people in Congress.

This past Sunday, Rep. Mast was in the Five Towns at the home of Yael and Gary Mandel. Most interestingly and importantly, Mast is the only military veteran and congressman who also served in an advisory capacity to the Israel Defense Forces.

Congressman Brian Mast with NORPAC event hosts Gary and Yael Mandel, NORPAC presidents Stanley and Trudy Stern, and Dr. Joe Frager

He is distinguished by many of his professional and military accomplishments, which include a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his actions in Afghanistan, where he served as an explosive ordnance disposal technician. It was the last improvised explosive device he found that resulted in catastrophic injuries, including the loss of both legs.

A great deal of what Congressman Mast had to say was off the record, as is routine at many of these appearances. An important point he made was that today in Congress, where he serves as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a pro-Israel advocate, “Israel is losing the messaging war.” He says that the way support for Israel is changing is beyond despicable and that he wishes he knew how to fix it, but at the moment he does not know how. He says the criticism of Israel is based on lies, and he cherishes the time he spent assisting the IDF in Israel.

Mast explains that his experience was that of a lone soldier, which afforded him exposure and deep understanding of the way military life in Israel is woven into every family without exception. He observed that here in the U.S., families have an option of whether or not their children will serve in the military and in what capacity. In Israel, he says, every family is involved in one way or another.

As far as Israel in Gaza, he says that Israel is doing what they must do and should continue to move forward without compromise. Brian Mast is an American hero and great and important friend of Israel. n

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