‘I want my daughter back’: Funerals held for police officers killed in Hadera attack

Funerals were held Monday for Yazan Falah and Shirel Aboukrat, the two Border Police officers who were killed in a terror attack in Hadera the day before.

The burials for the two 19-year-olds were each attended by thousands, among whom were politicians and top police officials.

Falah was buried at the military cemetery in his hometown of Kisra-Sumei, a Druze village in the Galilee.

In attendance were Public Security Minister Omer Barlev and Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

“There is no more difficult and painful position than standing in front of the coffin of a young man under the age of 20, who was murdered by bloodthirsty terrorist extremists, ” said Sheikh Moafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel.

“His parents and sisters are left with only images of a young man and his captivating smile, which they will never meet again.”

“We are ready and prepared to fight and pursue all our enemies,” Barlev said during the funeral.

Barlev said Falah “risked his life every day… We are here thanks to him and his brothers in arms.”

“You grew up to be a smiling, friendly comrade, always ready to help anyone in need,” said Sa’ar. “All of Israel and its citizens were hit by agony and grief, and there are no words that can comfort the suffering family, who are saying goodbye with a pained, broken heart.”

“Since we heard the news, our lives have darkened and the ground has shaken,” Falah’s uncle Amel said.

“I wish the ground had swallowed me before your mother had to receive the tidings, I wish I was dead in your place,” he said. “What will I say to your mother — my sister — who dreamed to see you marry? You left a wound in our hearts that will bleed forever.”

Falah insisted on joining the Border Police despite being exempt from combat service as his mother’s only son. He is survived by his parents, a twin sister, and a stepbrother.

Aboukrat’s funeral took place shortly afterward, at Netanya’s military cemetery.

Her mother, Deborah, was heard shouting, “Shirel, how did I not keep you out of harm? I want you back, my daughter. Wake up!”

לוחמת מג"ב שיראל אבוקרט הובאה למנוחות, אמה זעקה: "אני רוצה את הבת שלי"https://t.co/5zG6XhUOZa@YoavBorowitz pic.twitter.com/7WmhnbMSkY

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) March 28, 2022

Her cousin Terri eulogized her: “It’s hard to digest that this is our reality. That we will not get to see you again, laugh with you, celebrate life with you. How special you were. What a heart you had. How strong you were. Just seeing you would bring joy to our hearts and pride.”

“How were you taken with such savagery?” she said. “You dreamed of being an officer in the Border Police and a police detective. You were lucky to achieve at least one.”

Also attending her funeral were Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov and Netanya mayor Miriam Fierberg.

“It’s just a horrible tragedy,” Fierberg said.

Aboukrat’s family immigrated to Israel from France in 2006.

Aboukrat had gone to Rigler High School in Netanya. On Monday, the school said it inaugurated a memorial in her honor.

The school’s principal described the shock felt by staff after learning of Aboukrat’s death.

“We still can’t believe it,” said Ori Cohen, according to Ynet. “Shirel dreamed of joining the Border Police and was overjoyed when she was told she’d been accepted. She hadn’t had the chance to collect her high school diploma. She was an excellent student,” he added.

Earlier Monday, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett expressed his condolences to the mourning families.

“Our heart is broken by the deaths of Border Police officers Yazan Falah and Shirel Aboukrat, who fell while bodily protecting civilians from vile murderers. We will not forget their heroism. I wish a complete recovery to the wounded and send my deepest condolences to the families,” he said in a statement.

“The soldiers fought with bravery,” a statement issued by the Border Police on Sunday night read. “We share the sorrow and embrace the families of the heroes Yazan and Shirel of blessed memory who defended the citizens with their bodies and saved many lives,” the statement added, calling them “highly motivated young fighters who gave up their lives for the security of the people of Israel.”

The two terrorists who committed the attack were believed to be supporters of the Islamic State group. The shooting came days after a deadly terror attack in the southern city of Beersheba, which was also committed by a man who attempted to join the jihadist group, raising concerns of further attacks inspired by the terrorist organization.

Security camera footage from the scene showed the two gunmen, bearded and wearing white overalls, opening fire at passersby and police officers at a bus stop in the city, close to several restaurants.

The video showed one of the gunmen shooting several times at a victim lying on the ground, before snatching that person’s rifle. He also opened fire on a man seen riding past the scene on a bicycle.

Police said several officers were hurt in the attack and during a gun battle with the terrorists shortly thereafter. Both of the terrorists were shot dead by members of a unit of undercover officers who were eating at a nearby restaurant, police officials said.