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‘It's slaughtering people for fun’: NYC mom of woman killed in Israel questions Americans supporting Hamas' cause

“Freedom of hate — is that good? Just give me one good reason for freedom of hate,” Hannie Ricardo questioned

Updated on: Oct 15, 2023 10:24 AM IST
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The mother of a woman who was killed by Hamas has urged Americans not to back the terrorist organisations' cause. Upper East Side’s Hannie Ricardo’s daughter Oriya Ricardo was one of the 260 people who were killed by Hamas terrorists at an Israel music festival.

Oriya Ricardo was one of the 260 people who were killed by Hamas terrorists at an Israel music festival (@oriya.ricardo/Instagram)
Oriya Ricardo was one of the 260 people who were killed by Hamas terrorists at an Israel music festival (@oriya.ricardo/Instagram)

The party descended into chaos when the terrorists attacked the site, killing at least 260 people and abducting many more. Thousands of people attended the party, near Kibbutz Re'im close to Gaza. Palestinian gunmen attacked the site and shot people down as they tried to escape.

“You have terrorists and a lot of people in America support them. In the name of freedom of speech, you let them talk and support these terrorists,” Hannie, 58, told New York Post. “I know you have this amendment of freedom of speech, but you also support that freedom of hate. What do you do with that? Freedom of hate — is that good? Just give me one good reason for freedom of hate.”

‘It’s slaughtering people for fun’

The New York City mom-of-three continued, “I am not holding up. I am collapsing. My girl tried to run away and cried, but they caught up to her after 100 meters from the car and shot her. They called me and they let me know that my daughter is missing and I took the first flight back to Israel.”

Earlier this week, Hannie returned to Tel Aviv. This is where his two older daughters had been staying before the brutal attack was launched.

“She was the most beautiful girl on this planet,” Hannie said. “I’m still waiting for her to come through the door [or give] me a phone call saying, ‘Oh it was a mistake, that’s not your daughter’ and I will see her with a boyfriend, getting married. I’ll see my grandkids. I still hope, but, you know.”

“It’s not going to happen so it breaks my heart, whatever is left of it. It’s broken, shredded to pieces,” she added.

Calling for the world to condemn Hamas’ actions, she said, “They are hateful people and they live in order to kill. This is not war. In wars, as stupid as they are, they have armies fighting against armies. This was a Nazi organized operation. This sort of cruelty you saw doing the Holocaust. … Is this a war? It’s not a war. It’s slaughtering people for fun.”

  • Sumanti Sen
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Sumanti Sen

    Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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