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Hadas and Hadar

Two families, one shared tragedy

As the Malka family sits Shiva and is still in deep mourning over the murder of Hadas, they find an unlikely source of comfort in the family of Hadar Cohen, the border policewoman who was murdered in a similar terror attack in 2016.

Sigal and Ofer Cohen were among the many visitors who came to pay their respects to the Malka family as they were sitting Shiva (Jewish ritual mourning period) for their daughter, border policewoman Hadas Malka. The Cohens share a tragic fate with the Malkas. Their daughter, border policewoman Hadar Cohen, was also killed in a terror attack at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem.

 

 

Over the course of an hour, Hadas and Hadar's families sat and discussed the tragic circumstances that connected them.

 

"This is the first time in the last two days that something has lifted their spirits for a few minutes. There is no doubt that this shared fate has created something deep between them," said a member of Hadas' family.

 

David Malka (R) and Ofer Cohen (L) (Photo: Roi Idan) (Photo: Roi Idan)
David Malka (R) and Ofer Cohen (L) (Photo: Roi Idan)
 

  

Following the meeting, Ofer Cohen, Hadar's father, said, "We will always help and support David and Geula. We unfortunately have a shared fate. They are now joining the Border Police family, which offers its support in every way."

 

Ofer also added, "It is the same situation, the same terror attack. When I heard what happened, it got to me. It is very difficult to hear that a border policewoman was killed. The whole thing took me back a year and four months, it was very difficult."

  

Geula and David, spoke about Hadas' time in the border police, saying, "We were worried. We were always afraid something would happen, especially when she was a commander in Jerusalem."

 

Geula elaborated, saying, "She was a girl who loved action, loved to be outside. She always said, 'I'm not capable of a desk job, it isn't me. I need to be in the field.' Even with all the difficulties of a combat position, she still managed to find the time to take a physical education instruction class at the Wingate Institute, and she would study at night. She was supposed to finish her service in another six months and her plan was to travel abroad to the US and South America."

 

Hadar Cohen (R) and Hadas Malka (L)
Hadar Cohen (R) and Hadas Malka (L)

 

Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan, who also visited the Shiva, spoke to Hadas' parents and family, saying, "Hadas was a brave fighter who fought to be in Jerusalem, which today is the front line of defense for the State of Israel. I have to say that I have never seen a funeral with so many mourners, thousands of people came to pay their respects to a border policewoman."

 

President Rivlin visited the Damascus Gate, the site of the attack, on Monday morning. He met with soldiers and commanders stationed there and offered his support and encouragement and expressed his gratitude for their efforts to ensure the safety of Jerusalem's residents.

 

"We have been guarding the walls of Jerusalem for thousands of years, in every generation. We are here out of the need to allow all citizens to walk freely in Jerusalem without fear," Rivlin told the soldiers.

 

"I came today to thank you once more. Your protection also allows for free movement in Jerusalem for all citizens," he added.

 

"Terrorism wants us to take actions that disrupt life in Jerusalem, and when you take risks in order to enable Jerusalem to be open to all its visitors and citizens, it is the most important thing. Jerusalem is a microcosm, it is micro model of our ability to maintain a routine, daily life in Jerusalem which is so considerate."

 



 

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.19.17, 14:32
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