Two of the victims of the terrorist attack at the gas station near Eli, Elisha Antman and Harel Masoud, were laid to rest on Tuesday night.
Antman’s funeral was held in Eli, while Masoud was laid to rest in the cemetery in Moshav Yesodot, a haredi moshav located in the Nahal Sorek Regional Council in central Israel.
Rabbi Elyakim Tzadok, the rabbi of a synagogue in Masoud”s home town of Yad Binyamin, eulogized Masoud and said, “The holy Harel, not only because of the way he was killed by evil murderers, but because of the way Harel chose to live. On the young but enormous shoulders of Harel and his friends sits the burden of redemption.”
Harel Masoud with the scene of the attack in the background. Photo: Nadav Goldstein/TPS and courtesy of the family
Masoud”s mother, Yael, eulogized him and said, “This past Shabbat you came to visit, but actually you came to say goodbye without meaning to.” His brother Dvir said, “I do not want to say goodbye. A year ago, the house was full of people at my engagement, today they came to the funeral.”
Shai Reichner, head of the Nahal Sorek Regional Council, gave a eulogy as well and said, “There are no words to express the shock and pain we feel right now. I, and the entire Nahal Sorek community, grieve with the Masoud family after this terrible disaster, share in their unimaginable grief and embrace the family.”
Funeral of Elisha Antman. Photo: Eli spokesperson
Thousands of people took part in the funeral of Elisha Antman at the cemetery in Eli. Government representative Minister Bezalel Smotrich participated and spoke at the funeral.
The head of the Binyamin Regional Council, Israel Ganz, paid tribute to Elisha and said, “Elisha, I saw you today for the first time. On your face was a smile and a special glow. Your face told us to continue, to act, to grow despite the enormous pain. At the meeting with your parents, we saw your deep roots, roots of faith and power and they are the source of our strength.”
“The IDF and the heads of state need to summon the strength and do their part in dealing a crushing blow against an enemy that raised a hand against you and against us. We will do our part in the way of settlement in your name, Elisha,” Gantz added.
Two other victims in Tuesday”s attack have been identified as Ofer Fairman, a 60-year-old resident of Eli and Nachman Shmuel Mordoff, a 17-year-old resident of Ahiya.
