President calls wife of Yavneh stabbing victim, hails him as ‘hero’
Rivlin tells Sigalit Nehemiah the whole country is praying for husband Niv, whose condition has improved but remains critical
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President Reuven Rivlin on Friday phoned the wife of a man seriously wounded in a stabbing attack in the central Israeli city of Yavneh on Wednesday, hailing Niv Nehemiah as a “hero.”
Rivlin told Sigalit Nehemiah the whole country was praying for her husband’s recovery, as doctors said his condition was slightly improving, though it remained life-threatening.
“We wish with all our heart for his speedy recovery, and pray that everything will turn out well and that it will return to normal,” Rivlin said, according to Hebrew media.
Niv Nehemiah was stabbed and critically wounded by a Palestinian teenager at a supermarket in Yavneh on Wednesday morning in an apparent terror attack.
Please pray for Niv Nehemia, father of 5, who's fighting for his life after being stabbed from behind by a #Palestinian coward in #Yavne ???????????? pic.twitter.com/Ie8Njwvb6e
— Shahar Azani (@ShaharAzani) August 4, 2017
The 43-year-old Nehemiah, who worked at the supermarket, was stocking shelves when the attacker suddenly took out a knife and stabbed him in the upper body. Though injured, the victim fought off the terrorist and tried to run away, blocking the aisle after him with a handcart. He then ran away and was chased by the assailant.
“We will pray on Sabbath, along with the entire nation that has prayed since the terrible attack,” Rivlin said. “We will continue to strengthen our security forces in the constant struggle against terror and its perpetrators. He is definitely a hero, and you are a heroine along with him.”
Sigalit Nehemiah thanked the president and Israel for the support her family has received since the attack.
The Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot announced on Friday that Nehemiah’s condition was improving, though he remained in critical condition in intensive care.
Judah Ari Gross contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.