Rivlin to family of fallen officer: ‘We are forced to live with the sword’

President Reuven Rivlin on Monday paid a condolence visit to the family of Eliav Gelman, the air force reservist officer killed by friendly fire during efforts to stop a terrorist who was attacking him last week.

“I have visited many homes across Israel in the past months, we all understand that we are forced to live with the sword,” Rivlin told the bereaved Gelman family at their home in the settlement of Karmei Tzur. “We have returned to our land, and no one will prevent us from keeping our faith.”

Palestinian Mamduh Amro, 26, from the village of Dura near Hebron, tried to stab the IAF reserve officer on February 24 at the Gush Etzion Junction in the Etzion settlement bloc south of Jerusalem.

Gelman, a father of two from the nearby West Bank settlement of Karmei Tzur, was hit by errant IDF gunfire aimed at Amro.

He was taken in critical condition to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, where he succumbed to his wounds some two hours after the attack. He had been on his way home from his Air Force base, where he was on reserve duty.

“You know how heavy is the price we pay, and how horrific is the loss,” Rivlin said. “Like your wonderful and dear son, and husband. At one terrible moment, the Israeli people become aware of such incredible people — while of course, you knew all along.”

Amro, the attacker, sustained moderate to serious injuries and was treated in Jerusalem.

Israeli forces surveyed Amro’s home overnight Sunday ahead of its demolition, the army said Monday.

The Etzion Junction has seen a spate of Palestinian attacks, many targeting soldiers stationed at the intersection.

Judah Ari Gross contributed to this report.