(Photo: Genadi Kaufman.)
Source: Israel National News
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/219032
An IDF Sergeant whose father was murdered by a terrorist in Hebron has
undertaken the unusual step of switching from the navy to the infantry – so that he
could serve in the place where his father was murdered.
undertaken the unusual step of switching from the navy to the infantry – so that he
could serve in the place where his father was murdered.
Sergeant David Kaufman decided to switch from the navy to infantry as his
ship was near Gaza and he received news of the death of his father.
ship was near Gaza and he received news of the death of his father.
“We heard on the radio that there had been a stabbing at the Tomb of
Machpela, and I immediately told my friend that I had a bad feeling, that I thought it
was my father,” Kaufman related yesterday in an interview with Yediot
Achronot.
Machpela, and I immediately told my friend that I had a bad feeling, that I thought it
was my father,” Kaufman related yesterday in an interview with Yediot
Achronot.
David’s father, Genadi Kaufman, who worked as a gardener at the Tomb of
Machpela complex, died after he was stabbed by a terrorist while coming home
from work. After three weeks of struggling for his life, he succumbed to his
wounds.
Machpela complex, died after he was stabbed by a terrorist while coming home
from work. After three weeks of struggling for his life, he succumbed to his
wounds.
“Already on that day on the ship, the thought crossed my mind to transfer and
[continue my service] at the Tomb of Machpela, to [try to] see to it that things like
this wouldn’t happen again,” David related.
[continue my service] at the Tomb of Machpela, to [try to] see to it that things like
this wouldn’t happen again,” David related.
After meeting and creating a connection with high-ranking officer Eitan Dana,
responsible for the Hebron region, during the mourning period for his father, David said
that his decision to transfer was set.
responsible for the Hebron region, during the mourning period for his father, David said
that his decision to transfer was set.
“I immediately told him that I wanted to leave the navy and go serve in the
place where my father was murdered. It’s hard for me to explain, but my heart took me
there.”
place where my father was murdered. It’s hard for me to explain, but my heart took me
there.”
Today, David serves in the infantry, under Dana’s command.
“Every time I rush to the scene of an incident and I put on my equipment and
pass the place [where my father was murdered], my heart stops,” David says. “But I
have a feeling of control. Now, when we […] are standing guard, we will do everything
to [try to] make sure that things like this won’t happen here again.”
pass the place [where my father was murdered], my heart stops,” David says. “But I
have a feeling of control. Now, when we […] are standing guard, we will do everything
to [try to] make sure that things like this won’t happen here again.”
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