Rivlin pays condolence call to Istanbul attack victim’s family

President Reuven Rivlin on Thursday paid a condolence visit to the family of an Israeli teenager who was killed in a terror attack at an Istanbul club during New Year’s festivities.

Lian Zaher Nasser, 19, from the Arab city of Tira, was killed when a gunman went on a shooting rampage at the exclusive Reina nightclub in the Turkish capital in the early hours of January 1. The attack, which killed 39 people, most of them foreigners, was claimed by the Islamic State terror group.

“We are here to share in your grief and to tell the world that terrorism is terrorism, and we must fight it and not surrender to it,” the president told Nasser’s parents, Lucy and Zaher.

“We heard what an impressive and wonderful girl she was, and we are sorry for your pain,” Rivlin said.

The Nassers told the president that they had warned Lian against traveling to Turkey because of the surge in terror attacks throughout the country in recent months.

Their teenage daughter, however, insisted on going on the New Year’s getaway to Istanbul — her first-ever trip abroad — because several of her friends were going.

“It was her first and last trip,” her mother said through tears.

Tira Mayor Mamoun Abd El Hai, who came to the Nassers’ family home Thursday afternoon to thank Rivlin for his visit, said the community was overwhelmed by support from neighbors.

“We’ve been warmly embraced by all citizens of this country, Jews and Arabs alike,” he told the president. “Yesterday, some Jews that we don’t know came by to offer their condolences.

“This unity against terrorism. which does not distinguish between religions, blood or race, is important,” El Hai added.

On Tuesday, thousands of people attended Nasser’s funeral in Tira. Among them were MKs from the Joint (Arab) List headed by Ayman Odeh and representatives of the Palestinian Authority sent by PA President Mahmoud Abbas, according to Israel Radio.

IS’s claim of responsibility came after a recent propaganda video urged attacks on Turkey, which is home to an air base used in the US-led effort against the group in Syria and Iraq.

The nightclub assailant, armed with a long-barreled weapon, killed a policeman and a civilian early Sunday outside the club before entering and firing at some of the estimated 600 people inside. The establishment is frequented by famous locals, including singers, actors and athletes.

On Tuesday, the gunman was identified in Turkish media reports as Iakhe Mashrapov, a 28 year-old from Kyrgyzstan who entered Turkey in November. There was no confirmation from authorities in Turkey.

Turkish police detained several new suspects Thursday in fresh raids over the attack, as authorities tightened borders to prevent the fugitive killer from escaping.

Agencies contributed to this report.