US-Israeli father of slain soldier says Biden called with condolences, gave his phone number

Ruby Chen, the father of slain IDF soldier Itay Chen, whose death on October 7 was announced yesterday, says that US President Joe Biden called to express his condolences.

Chen, a US-Israel dual citizen, tells Channel 12 news that Biden “spoke to me like a father speaks to his son who has to eulogize his grandson,” noting that Biden had also experienced the death of a son, and it was a “very personal, very tough conversation.”

He says that the US president also gave him his own phone number, and urged him that “if you need to speak to someone, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call, I promise someone will get back to you.”

Asked if he had received similar calls from Israeli leaders, including the prime minister, since the death of his son was announced, Chen says only: “Allow me to skip that question.”