President Reuven Rivlin meets with the families of slain American student Ezra Schwartz, who was gunned down in a West Bank terror attack in November, and Ofer Ben-Ari, mistakenly killed by police fire during the Jaffa Gate stabbing attack last week.
“Ezra was like a soldier, he was there to help look after the soldiers, and I have heard was one of the best volunteers. He is one of our sons, and we will always remember him,” the president tells the Schwartz family, who are on a visit to Israel.
“I and all the Israeli people are with you, and we hope and pray that you will only know happier times.”
The family of slain American student Ezra Schwartz with President Reuven Rivlin on December 29, 2015 (Mark Neyman/GPO)
Later Tuesday, the president visits the bereaved Ben-Ari family.
Ofer “did not hesitate for a moment in coming to help, he did not stand by when others were being attacked. Ofer showed tremendous bravery. The strength of the whole nation is drawn from special people such as Ofer, and of course from his dear family,” Rivlin says.
President Reuven Rivlin with the family of terror victim Ofer Ben-Ari (Mark Neyman/GPO)
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
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