IDF Sgt. Malespin tours site of Oct. 7 devastation on Kibbutz Aza with former US VP Mike Pence

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IDF Master Sgt. (res) Chaim Malespin is also the executive director of the Aliyah Return Center, a non-profit dedicated to assisting new immigrants to Israel as they take their first steps into a new life in their ancient homeland.

A veteran of the Second Lebanon War in 2006, Malespin has been mobilized to fight in several more wars since then, and was among the first to be called up to fight in Gaza following the Hamas surprise invasion and attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

Serving in the Yahalom elite commando unit, the IDF's Combat Engineering Corps, Malespin participated in the operation to sweep some of the communities attacked on Oct. 7 to ensure that the invading terrorists had not left behind booby traps for rescuers.

Shortly thereafter, Malespin was sent with his unit into Gaza, where he has been fighting for most of the last 90 days. However, he recently removed his uniform for a few hours to participate in a press event at Kibbutz Aza, one of Israel's southern border communities that was invaded during the Oct. 7 attack.

Malespin was part of a tour conducted by one of the reserve officers who took part in restoring security to the kibbutz. During the tour, Malespin met with former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and was able to share some of his own testimony about what has has witnessed during the current conflict.

Pence eloquently described his assessment following the tour, telling journalists that he was more determined than ever to be a voice defending Israel's right to defend itself and to protect the entire free world from terrorism.

Pence also criticized the Biden administration for its approach toward the Middle East, saying it projected weakness and indecisiveness, which Iran and its proxies took as an invitation to attack. He added that America is still the leader of the "free world" and has a responsibility to protect and defend the "free world" without apology.

Later, in response to a question about South Africa bringing the charge of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice, Pence said it was a completely outrageous accusation.

To learn more about the Aliyah Return Center and their work you can download their iPhone app.