Rivlin visits family of stabbing victim in fatal attack

President Reuven Rivlin pays a condolence visit to the family of Rabbi Aharon Bennett, who was killed October 3 in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem’s Old City, the President’s Residence says in a statement.

“We are strong, and our country is strong, and no one can deter us. We returned to our land out of a love for our land, and in order to build and be built up in it. We are a strong democracy, and all those who wish us evil – cannot harm this,” the president says.

Bennett was killed as he walked with his wife Adele, toddler son and baby daughter in the Old City. His wife and son were also wounded in the attack.

At the family home, Rivlin meets with Bennett’s parents Aliza and Michel, along with his brothers.

“Aharon decided to take the route he took that night, despite his mother-in-law’s warnings it was dangerous,” the father Michel tells Rivlin. “He insisted, ‘If I don’t walk there, who will?’ He saw it as a mitzvah, as a pilgrimage.”