Talk:Brian Mast

Member of the Israeli Defense Forces?

Today I'm hearing of Brian Mast having served in the IDF. Since this is news to me I looked at the Wikipedia article and nothing is here about it today. I hope someone who knows about it will add this information with some details.

After originating this topic, I searched online and found that Mast proudly declares the fact that I’m asking about in this website: https://mast.house.gov/israel

 Matt Insall (talk) 13:40, 2 February 2024 (UTC)

Its in the article under the israeli section but potentially more info can be added to the infobox. LegalSmeagolian (talk) 16:27, 2 February 2024 (UTC)

For a couple weeks in January 2015, Mast volunteered through Sar-El at an IDF base packing medical kits and moved supplies around. . Mast was not, nor has he ever been, an official member of the IDF. Longhornsg (talk) 20:38, 2 February 2024 (UTC)

you seem to not know what Sar-El does despite linking its wiki article and getting it wrong in the process. Sar-El recruits international volunteers to work for the IDF in a civilian capacity. they are issued uniforms while working. so yes. he was officially part of the IDF. its literally on the IDF website. https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/how-to-join-us-and-voluntary-programs/volunteer-programs/ 138.255.255.22 (talk) 00:10, 4 February 2024 (UTC)

So my request for this information to be included on the Wikipedia page for Brian Mast should therefore be addressed by someone willing to edit the page. I'm not an expert in this area, but I'll check the page soon and if it's not been done, I'll do what I can to make the record more complete. Matt Insall (talk) 17:26, 22 February 2025 (UTC)

Everything that needs to be said about this is already at Brian Mast#Israel. – Muboshgu (talk) 17:28, 22 February 2025 (UTC)

Delete

Delete the part that says there is no innocent Palestinians. This is a hate speech 2A02:9B0:404D:1892:F105:8E37:4C1F:24B (talk) 16:11, 19 February 2024 (UTC)

It's a direct quote from Mast. Do you not want to know what he believes? It should not have been in the lead and I moved it to the body. – Muboshgu (talk) 16:28, 19 February 2024 (UTC)

Send Reasonable to me. Matt Insall (talk) 02:18, 6 June 2026 (UTC)

I meant "Seems reasonable to me." Matt Insall (talk) 02:19, 6 June 2026 (UTC)

False quote

@LegalSmeagolian, you added a quote to the lede that has since made its way into the body of the article: "babies in the Gaza Strip should not be considered 'innocent Palestinian civilians' during Israel’s ongoing military operations." The source of the quote is not Brian Mast, but the first paragraph of the HuffPost article that it is sourced to. As this page stands (and I think as you added it), it reads very much as if Mast had said those words. I think an attribution of the quote to Huffpost is necessary, or alternatively, covering the controversy without using the quote. However, portraying the quote as Mast's seems like it must be a significant BLP violation. Samuelshraga (talk) 08:05, 30 April 2024 (UTC)

I removed it. You're right, it's a clear WP:BLP violation and has no place in the article. Marquardtika (talk) 14:13, 30 April 2024 (UTC)

That was not the intention - however I do recognize that the attribution should be clearer. I will reincorporate to make clear that it is the Huffpo article. LegalSmeagolian (talk) 15:33, 30 April 2024 (UTC)

I don't think this belongs in the article at all. HuffPost is a marginal source and the article appears to be an attempt at a "gotcha". But Mast claims the video was doctored. Trying to flesh out this entire incident seems WP:UNDUE to me. It was a remark on camera, not a vote or policy position, etc. I don't see why we need to cover this at all given the marginal sourcing. Marquardtika (talk) 15:48, 30 April 2024 (UTC)

Huffpost is not a "marginal" source - editors have determined it is biased but it should be used with attribution. It clearly expands upon his beliefs on the Israeli invasion of Gaza and should be included. LegalSmeagolian (talk) 18:01, 30 April 2024 (UTC)

Additionally I am realizing that parts of this page are subject to WP:1RR - please self-revert. LegalSmeagolian (talk) 18:05, 30 April 2024 (UTC)

@LegalSmeagolian, I think with respect that your additions are not Wikipedia:DUE. If what you want to highlight is that Mast has gone on the record as saying that Palestinian civilians are broadly culpable for things that were done in his name, that is already in the block quote right before what you've added. All you've done is added a paragraph transcribing a particular conversation, where he implies less clearly the same view that is expressed in the block quote. No particular consequences accrued from the transcribed conversation other than a few days of media coverage as far as I'm aware, so the only reason it's being included is as a source for Mast's view, and Mast's view is already covered (more clearly). Samuelshraga (talk) 18:22, 30 April 2024 (UTC)

I agree with this. Marquardtika (talk) 18:58, 30 April 2024 (UTC)

This is a much better argument and point - thanks! @Marquardtika you can keep as is. Cheers! LegalSmeagolian (talk) 20:27, 30 April 2024 (UTC)

Extended-confirmed-protected edit request on 23 May 2024

“Edit allegiance to include Israel

Source: https://www.jns.org/brian-mast-proud-to-be-only-congressman-to-have-worn-us-army-and-idf-uniforms/

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/217418” 136.58.1.73 (talk) 14:59, 23 May 2024 (UTC)

 Not done for now: please establish a consensus for this alteration before using the {{Edit extended-protected}} template. – Muboshgu (talk) 18:57, 27 May 2024 (UTC)

Brian Mast's position on abortion.

This article, https://mast.house.gov/2022/3/fighting-for-the-sanctity-of-life, prompted me to question the information on Mast's Wikipedia page regarding his stance on abortion. The only link on the topic is from 2016, and more recent articles are too vague in describing his stance. I'm hoping an extended confirmed user can weigh in since the page has ECP, thanks. Clairefontainelover (talk) 18:55, 14 October 2024 (UTC)

Sar-El

This is not a military program and it is false to include it in the section for his military service which has exclusively been for the US. It is also included, rightfully, under his Political positions section. Spencer707201 (talk) 19:43, 4 September 2026 (UTC)