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Photo: Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO
President Rivlin with Teharlev family
Photo: Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO

President Rivlin visits family of slain soldier

Parents of Sgt. Elchai Teharlev tell President Rivlin of their son's boundless determination to become an officer in the IDF and defend his country; ‘If we can grow the light out of this darkness, we can also keep Elchai’s memory here in this world,' says mother.

President Reuven Rivlin paid a condolence visit to the family of 20-year-old Sgt. Elchai Teharlev Sunday, who was murdered in a car-ramming terror attack last week at Ofra Junction.

 

 

The Teharlev family told Rivlin of Elchai’s pride at being recruited into the IDF’s Golani combat brigade, of his intentions to train to be an officer, and of his desire to defend his country.

 

“Elchai, in his own special way, in his quiet and calm character, brought so much good to so many, and had such an impact on so many people; in his life, and in his death,” said Elchai’s father, Rabbi Ohad Teharlev.

His parents also told the president of their son’s childhood in the settlement of Talmon, of which they were one of the founding families.

 

President Rivlin visits family of Sgt. Elchai Teharlev (Photo: Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO)
President Rivlin visits family of Sgt. Elchai Teharlev (Photo: Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO)
 

 

Despite her loss, Elchai’s mother reflected on the light which the family could draw from their son’s murder.

 

“Elchai was a boy who saw good in others. We said to ourselves that with this darkness, we have also been given the keys to light and compassion. If we can grow this light, we can also keep Elchai’s memory here in this world.”

 

President Rivlin expressed his deep sorrow for their loss, warmly embraced members of the family, and spoke of the high price that the people of Israel have paid, and continue to pay for their independence in their land.

It was not the family’s first interaction with a senior official in the Israeli establishment since the attack.

 

On Friday, the Teharlev’s met with Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman during the ritual, week-long period of Jewish mourning and told him that they expected their son’s killer never to be released from prison. Elchai was buried on the same day of the attack in Israel's national cemetery on Jerusalem's Mount Herzl.

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.10.17, 09:32
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