Murder of Dvir Sorek

On 7 August 2019,[1] 18-year-old yeshiva student Dvir Sorek[2] was stabbed to death near the Israeli settlement of Migdal Oz.[3]

Murder of Dvir Sorek
Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
LocationMigdal Oz, West Bank
Date7 August 2019
Attack type
Stabbing
Deaths1
VictimDvir Sorek

Victim

Dvir Sorek was an 18-year-old Yeshiva student, one of six children, and the grandson of a Rabbi and Holocaust survivor who was murdered by a Palestinian militant in the Second Intifada.[4]

Sorek was an avid gardener, and loved to plant plants and tend to his gardens. Students and teachers at his yeshiva school said that he was very kind, and that he was a gentle person, and never harmed any living thing, and that he never even harmed a bug.[5]

Incident

Sorek traveled on his own from his yeshiva (named Machanayim) to Jerusalem to buy books for his rabbis as a gift for the end of the school year. He was apparently attacked on his way back, by (it was believed) two assailants, near a bus stop. Despite initially believing that his death was a kidnapping, Israeli security forces came to the conclusion that Soreks' death was a premeditated murder.[6]

Two Palestinian men, 24-year-old Nazir Saleh Khalil Atafra and 30-year-old Qasem Araf Khalil Atafra, were arrested for the murder. Their houses were demolished to deter would-be terrorists.[7]

Funeral

His funeral was held in Ofra, where Sorek’s family resided, the next day and thousands of people attended. Sorek’s father performed the eulogy. The funeral was interrupted by Palestinian fireworks and celebrations in the neighboring town of Silwad.[2]

Reactions

International reactions

Palestinian reactions
  • In the Palestinian-controlled city of Silwad, residents celebrated the murder of Sorek with celebrations in the streets. Fireworks were launched during the funeral of Sorek and were visible and audible throughout the teenager’s funeral. Silwad is adjacent to the Israeli settlement of Ofra, where Sorek’s family lived.
  • Palestinian students at Birzeit University near Ramallah celebrated the murder of the teenager by handing out free Snickers and other candy and fliers to other students. A Palestinian source shared photos of the celebration at the university, captioned Members of the Islamic bloc at Birzeit University distribute sweets on the occasion of Eid al-Adha and rejoicing in the shahada that killed an Israeli soldier.[9][10]

Aftermath

Two Palestinians accused of the murder were captured by Israeli soldiers in the village of Beit Kahil outside Hebron. The suspects were identified as 24-year-old Nazir Saleh Khalil Atafra, a Hamas activist, and 30-year-old Qasem Araf Khalil Atafra.[11]

See also

References
  1. Staff writer (8 August 2019). "Murdered yeshiva student: Dvir Sorek of Ofra". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  2. Tovah Lazaroff; Jeremy Sharon (8 August 2019). "Terror victim killed days before 19th birthday eulogized as gentle soul". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  3. Staff writer (8 August 2019). "At scene of terror attack, Netanyahu vows Israel will 'settle the score'". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  4. Sharon, Jeremy (8 August 2019). "Father of murdered teen: Dvir had a light in his eyes". The Jerusalem Post.
  5. "Israeli yeshivah student stabbed to death in apparent terror attack in Gush Etzion". Jewish News Syndicate. 8 August 2019.
  6. Judah Ari Gross (8 August 2019). "Security forces dismiss suspicion Etzion stabbing attack was failed kidnapping". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  7. "IDF demolishes houses of terrorists who killed Dvir Sorek". Jerusalem Post. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  8. Staff writer (8 August 2019). "UN, Western diplomats denounce murder of 19-year-old Israeli student". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  9. "Tweet by Shahab News Agency". Twitter. Shahab News Agency (Gaza). 8 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  10. K.b., J. "Let's Be Honest About The Prospect of Peace". Gun-Free Zone. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  11. Ahronheim, Anna (10 August 2019). "IDF, Shin Bet catch Dvir Sorek's killers". The Jerusalem Post.
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